Located in the northeastern Nigeria, Bauchi State has long been revered as a nucleus of Islamic scholarship, producing clerics whose intellectual rigor, spiritual leadership, and innovative teaching methods have shaped religious discourse across northern Nigeria and beyond. These scholars—steeped in tradition yet adaptive to modernity—have not only preserved Islamic teachings but also addressed contemporary societal challenges, earning admiration from millions locally and globally.
WikkiTimes profile ten luminaries whose contributions continue to redefine Islamic education, community development, and faith dialogue in the state.
These profiles, however, are not exhaustive as there are many others, but the following are selected based on their prominence, influence and their views often generate conversations either through conventional or social media.
Similarly, the names below, who adhere to different sects, are not presented in any priority order or ranking.
Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi
He is the oldest and one of most influential leaders of the Tijjaniya Sufi order in West Africa. With a career spanning over seven decades, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi is a colossus in Qur’anic scholarship. Beginning his Tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis) in 1948, his broadcasts on Bauchi Radio (1976) and Radio Nigeria Kaduna (1980) remain Ramadan staples. A spiritual pilgrim, he has performed Hajj 55 times and Umrah 205 times. Beyond theology, his legacy includes building 1,000 homes for his family and students, establishing Islamic schools, and converting countless individuals through his accessible, wisdom-filled preaching. He has millions of followers in Nigeria and beyond. He is regarded as the living legend of Qur’anic exegesis.
Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Guruntum
He is viewed as a guardian of authentic teachings that purify human souls and pour consciousness of God. Sheikh Guruntum’s quest for knowledge took him from Nigeria to Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan, where he mastered the Qur’an, Hadith, and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As a Chief Imam, he champions Al-Kitaab wa Sunnah (Qur’an and Sunnah) in his preaching and religious propagation. He founded Qur’anic schools and advocates for adherence to the practices of Islam’s pious predecessors. His leadership has solidified his reputation as a pillar of doctrinal purity. He is admired by millions across the Hausa speaking world.
Dr. Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi
Dr. Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi’s uncompromising focus on Tauhid (pure Islamic monotheism) has sparked both reverence and controversy. Educated in Nigeria, Niger, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan, his refusal to align with any sect led to clashes with Islamic organizations and even the Bauchi State government, resulting in imprisonment and exile. Despite this, his social media presence—boasting over 100,000 followers—and founding of Garu Security (a self-defense group) underscore his grassroots influence. He is an unyielding advocate of monotheism
Dr Ibrahim Adam Disina
Sheikh Ibrahim Adam Disina is a scholar, farmer and media entrepreneurship pioneer. Disina’s journey from humble background to Ph.D. holder epitomizes resilience. A graduate of Madinah’s Islamic University and founder of Sunnah TV, he blends farming, livestock, and Da’wah. His practical sermons, rooted in personal struggle, resonate with rural and urban audiences alike, proving scholarship and livelihood can coexist.
Sheikh Salihu Sulaiman Ningi
Sheikh Salihu Sulaiman Ningi remains the the Izala movement’s torchbearer in Bauchi State.
As Chairman of JIBWIS (Jos Faction), Sheikh Salihu Sulaiman Ningi is a linchpin in the Izala movement. His Ramadan Tafsir sessions and lectures at national Izala events attract thousands, blending doctrinal clarity with charismatic delivery. His work cements JIBWIS’s role in countering religious innovations (Bid’ah) across northern Nigeria and beyond.
Professor Mansur Isa Yelwa
He is considered as one of the clerics that are bridging the gap between academia, traditional scholarship and modernity. A scholar of Islamic Law and Senior Lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, Professor Mansur Isa Yelwa merges academic rigor with practical Da’wah. His expertise in Comparative Law and Qur’anic studies informs his role on the Shariah Board of Salam Takaful Insurance. Through lectures and publications, he emphasizes the Sunnah and Ahlussunnah wal Jama’ah principles, inspiring future jurists while shaping ethical Islamic markets.
Professor Zubairu A. Madaki
Professor Zubairu Madaki’s Ramadan lectures at Umar bin Khattab Mosque draw nationwide attention. A Malaysian-trained Ph.D. in Qur’an and Sunnah Studies, he combines academia with grassroots preaching as JIBWIS’s (Kaduna Faction) Bauchi Chairman. His dual role as a religious figure with influence and lecturer at Bauchi State University bridges faith, society and governance.
Sheikh Abul Fatahi Bauchi
A rising star of the Tijaniyya Sufi Order, Sheikh Abul Fatahi Bauchi leverages social media to defend Sufi practices like Maulid celebrations. His debates with Izala scholars, broadcast to young audiences, reflect his mastery of digital platforms to preserve Sufi traditions amid sectarian tensions. He is regarded as a sufism’s radical digital defender.
Sheikh Junaid Abubakar
Like Abulfataahi, he is young and agile from the traditional Tijjaniya Sufi Brotherhood. A softhearted preacher, he often extolls the virtues of the prophets, his family and disciples. Unlike Abulfatahi, he counters doctrinal differences in a more calm and calculated manner bereft of elements of youthful exuberance.
Malam Yahaya Jibril
He is also called Malam Yahaya Mai Tauhidi. Malam Mai Tauhidi’s blend of humor and moral instruction has made him a favourite among women and youths in Bauchi. From leading Qur’anic recitations for divine intervention to educating rural communities, his approachable style—shared widely on radio and social media—addresses societal ills like drug abuse while fostering spiritual growth. He is often regarded as people’s preacher due to his ability to keep audience spellbound by his humour while disseminating religious message.
With the help of media disruption, Bauchi’s scholars exemplify how tradition and modernity can coexist in Islamic teaching. Their work—spanning education, social justice, and media innovation—ensures the state remains a lighthouse of faith in Nigeria. Yet, challenges like sectarian tensions and government pressures persist.
Although these clerics navigate a digital age, their differences and counter-preaching sometimes create ‘storms’ especially on social media among their followers.