Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, one of Nigeria’s most renowned and influential Islamic scholars and a supreme leader of the Tijjaniyyah Sufi Order, has died at the age of 98 following a prolonged illness.
The scholar, who dedicated over seven decades to Qur’anic exegesis and spiritual teaching, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025. His death was confirmed by his family and prominent figures, including a former aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Born in June 1927, Sheikh Bauchi’s extensive influence stemmed from his scholarly work and his position within the Tijjaniyyah Tariqah, a powerful Sufi order with followers across Africa.
The Sheikh was revered as a master of the Holy Qur’an, having memorized the entire text under the guidance of his father, Alhaji Usman, and later establishing over 1,500 Qur’an memorization centers across Nigeria.
His influence transcended Nigeria’s borders, cemented by his connection to the order’s spiritual leaders in Senegal, including his marriage to the daughter of Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse.
Until his death, Sheikh Bauchi held the institutional position of Deputy Chair of the Fatwa Committee under the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the apex body responsible for unifying and guiding Muslim practices in Nigeria.
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