Alimi Abdulrazaq

CELEBRATING THE MUTAWALI OF ILORIN: DR ALIMI ABDULRAZAQ

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Seye Adetunmbi, 16/3/22

Historically, culturally and conventionally, royal stools and other traditional community titles, unlike honorary chieftaincy titles are hereditary by following structured succession plans. It is therefore not a common trend in Yoruba land, even in the contemporary Nigeria to have a biological child being honoured with the same exalted honourary title bestowed his/her forebear. It is often in exceptional cases whereby a family stands out by virtue of the great deeds of their patriarch and the children in turns too, have distinguished themselves in their respective callings, their integrated human endeavours and consistent commitment to the development of their community and progress of their people. Such is the notable dynasty of Alhaji Abdulganiyu Folorunso Abdulrazaq (1927-2020), the first northern lawyer and onetime President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. By standard of Ilorin Emirate in Nigeria, Mutawali is an aristocratic honourary title. This is why Alhaji A. F. Abdulrazaq SAN, OFR became the first Mutawali of Ilorin in 1962, by the then 9th Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Zulkarnayni Sulu Gambari who was the father of the current Emir of Ilorin. This was in recognition of the historic and significant roles in the development of the Emirate heritage and protection of its lasting values, the noble patriarch of Abdulrazaq dynasty.

It was no doubt momentous, in the history of Kwara-State that the son of the 1st Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr Alimi Mohammed Abdulrazaq, became the 2nd Mutawali of Ilorin on the 18th of March in 2022. He was turbaned by the 11th Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu-Gambari, also the son of the Emir who honoured 1st Mutawali, 60 years ago. Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulillah! The palace of Emir of Ilorin where the royal turning ceremony took place went agog with dignitaries that came from all parts of Nigeria to witness and grace the memorable occasion.

Dr Alimi Abdlurazaq, sitting 1st left; with parents and his siblings 

Considering his pedigree, accomplishments and inimitable profile as a scholar, legal luminary and a technocrat of repute, Dr Alimi Abdulrazaq, unequivocally earned the title. He is a product of the prestigious Capital School, Kaduna which he attended in 1968 to 1972; the famous St Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos in 1968 to 1972; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he studied law in 1973 to 1977 and University of Hull for Masters in International Law in 1983 and L.L.D in 1988. He was called to Bar in Nigeria in 1978 and an active member of the International Bar Association. He attended Executive Leadership programmes at Harvard Business School in University of Florida, Georgetown University and Lagos Business School.

Dr Alimi Abdulrazaq and his family

At various times he served in a number of federal government agencies on the board of frontline private sector players in Nigeria. He worked as the Commissioner Licensing and Enforcement at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Chairman, National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, Member of the National Council on Privatisation. The pioneer recipient of the Alumni Laurette Award of the University of Hull for legal scholarship and educational endowments. He is the founder and Chairman of Bridge House College, Ikoyi, Lagos. He is on the Board of First Bank Holdings as a non-Executive Director. A patron of Gamji Foundation and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Arewa Consultative Forum. He also recorded a first in Ilorin Emirate as the first indigene of Ilorin to bag a PhD in Law.

Dr Abdulrazaq is a consummate family man and a dedicated husband of Mrs Foluke Kafayat Abdulrazaq, the Group Vice Chairman of Transcorp Nigeria. His marriage is blessed with resourceful children who are doing the family proud in their respective areas of human endeavours.

Dr Alimi Abdulrazaq sitting in front of his father his turbanning as Tafida Zazazau in 1962

Right from when I met him through his younger siblings who are my friends, my admiration of his imitable personality is constant. He is a remarkable decent gentleman with a unique disposition to honourable ways. Very generous and pleasant to be with. He is a sports enthusiast and a fellow good squash racket player. When I humbly requested him to be the Chairman of the public presentation of my book on Financial Intermediation and Practice in 2020, he anchored the event with excellently well to the delight of all and he supported me generously. I am not surprised by the recognition given to him by the Emir of Ilorin with the royal honour because he is a pride to his kinsmen, professional colleagues, friends and other associates. Long live the new Mutawali of Ilorin.