26/09/2025
ISPARTV EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
“Unity, Succession, and Service in the Path of Qadiriyyah Lagos State”
A Candid Conversation with Khaleepha Muh Solihu Babanīji Amosa, Grand Khaleepha of Qadiriyyah Lagos State (Thaany Sooliheena of Markaz)
In the heart of Lagos, where history and spirituality intertwine, the Qadiriyyah movement has stood as a symbol of devotion, scholarship, and unity for generations. At its helm today is Khaleepha Muh Solihu Babanīji Amosa, the successor of his late father, Khaleepha Amosa, and the current Grand Khaleepha of Qadiriyyah Lagos State. Known for his quiet contributions, conflict resolution, and unwavering commitment to preserving tradition, Khaleepha Solihu carries a legacy that bridges past and present.
In this exclusive interview with ISPARTV, he opens up for the first time about his upbringing, his father’s remarkable journey through four great sheikhs, the rules of succession within the Lagos Qadiriyyah, the controversies that followed his selection, and why, after years of refusing titles, he finally accepted the mantle of leadership.
ISPARTV: Khaleepha, thank you for granting us this interview. To begin, please introduce yourself to our viewers.
Khaleepha Muh Solihu Babanīji Amosa:
My name is Muh Solihu Babanīji Amosa, son and successor of the late Khaleepha Amosa, who passed away on May 14, 2013. I was born on October 9, 1964, on Lagos Island, Lagos State.
I was born into a Qadiriyyah family. My father was not only active in the movement but also a railway technician whose work took him across the South, North, and West of Nigeria. On those journeys, he met and received the hands of acceptance from great Qadiriyyah leaders. He first received from Sheikh Nasir Kabara in Kano, then from Sheikh Adamu Namahaji, later from Sheikh Maalam Baba, and finally from Sheikh Ahmada Rufai nda Salaty in Ilorin, who crowned him as Khaleepha of Qadiriyyah.
That means my father received four hands of Qadiriyyah, and he served each of those sheikhs loyally and with respect. Through this, he became deeply connected with major Qadiriyyah leaders across Yoruba land. He raised us with that same devotion — to love Qadiriyyah and to see unity as the essence of faith.
ISPARTV: How did your upbringing shape your own role in Qadiriyyah?
Khaleepha Muh Solihu:
For more than thirty years, I have been active in Qadiriyyah Lagos. At one time, I was chosen as chairman of the fundraising board at Ale Oloko, Lagos State chapter, alongside Senator Ganiyu Solomon. This was over three decades ago. I personally contributed one hundred thousand naira of that time, my brothers also contributed, and Senator Solomon did the same.
People like Maalam Abdur Rasheed, may Allah rest his soul, recognized my support and wanted to put my photograph on the invitation card. But my mother refused. She said, “Anything you do, do it for Allah, not for praise.”
That is why my contributions — financial and moral — are not widely visible. My family taught me to give quietly, for Allah alone.
ISPARTV: Can you explain how the succession system works in Lagos Qadiriyyah?
Khaleepha Muh Solihu:
Yes. The succession of the Khaleepha in Lagos follows a respected rotational system among three houses: Sheikh Maalam Baba’s house, Sheikh Salaty’s house, and Sheikh Olohungbo’s house.
The line of succession has gone as follows. The first Khaleepha in Lagos was from Mushin, representing Maalam Baba’s house. Then it rotated to Salaty’s house with Sheikh Abdul Yeqeen Mustapha Isobah. In fact, during their contributions at meetings, they always wrote “Naib Sheikh Salaty,” confirming they were representing Salaty. After him, it rotated back to Maalam Baba’s house, where Khaleepha Sanni Bello was crowned. Then it rotated to Olohungbo’s house with Khaleepha Kudus.
This is the established order. And it was always respected by Sheikh Nasir Kabara. Sheikh Kabara never interfered in the selection of Lagos Khaleephas. He never imposed or forced anyone. He only gave blessings to whoever emerged through the constitution. And let me be clear: no Khaleepha of Lagos State has ever been crowned in Kano.
ISPARTV: What happened after the passing of Khaleepha Kudus of Olohungbo?
Khaleepha Muh Solihu:
When Khaleepha Kudus passed away, everyone knew it was Salaty’s turn. But just three days after his fidau prayers in Ramadan, I was called by Olohungbo leaders — their Sheikh Halqoh, Ameerul Jaish, and Alfa Atiku. They told me they wanted me to take the Khaleepha of Lagos State.
I was surprised and asked them directly, “Why you? Why not Salatiyah, since it is their turn?” They admitted it was indeed Salaty’s turn but said they wanted me because of my years of work — my contributions to unifying Qadiriyyah, settling disputes, and giving both morally and financially.
But I rejected their offer immediately. I told them, “Since it is not your turn, you cannot call me.” My mother also rejected it. She reminded them that my father had once been offered the same position in his lifetime but declined, saying service was enough. She told me, “Your work for Qadiriyyah is already enough. The reward from Allah is greater than any title.” So I did not accept Olohungbo’s offer.
ISPARTV: Yet later, you accepted. Why?
Khaleepha Muh Solihu:
Yes, later, the Salaty family themselves came to me. They said, “This is our turn. This is not just a choice but an order. You must accept.”
At first, I refused again. But they insisted: “Look at your track record. You never chose favorites. You participated in Nasiriyyah in Kano and Abeokuta, in Salatiyah, and in others. You gave equally, you reconciled disputes, you supported growth, all without chasing titles. You are the right person.”
Finally, I agreed, but only after I had gone around to reconcile disputes within the Qadiriyyah family. For example, there was a dispute between Sheikh Moshood Kunty and Naqeebul Ashraf Sheikh Abdullah Salaty. Allah used me to help settle it. Sheikh Kunty gave me one condition: to travel to Kano and meet Sheikh Quareeballah Nasir Kabara. I traveled not once, but twice, and by Allah’s grace, the matter was resolved in Ajashe Portnovo.
I also worked on issues involving Alfa Raufu of Portnovo, Sheikh Muhyideen Abdul Yeqeen Isobah, and others. Many disputes were settled by Allah’s will.
ISPARTV: You mentioned Sheikh Abdullah Salaty earlier. What was his role in all this?
Khaleepha Muh Solihu:
The late Sheikh Abdullah Salaty was a man of peace and humility. Some claimed there were issues between him and Sheikh Abdul Yeqeen Mustapha Isobah. But Sheikh Abdullah Salaty made it clear there was no enmity.
I remember vividly: during the Mawlid at Isobah, Sheikh Abdullah Salaty walked on foot from his house to the venue — just to show love and support for Sheikh Abdul Yeqeen Mustapha. That act silenced every rumor.
If Sheikh Muhyideen Isobah had followed his father’s path of humility and reconciliation, today’s challenges would not exist.
ISPARTV: What about your relationship with Alfa Ibrahim Gbodofu?
Khaleepha Muh Solihu:
Alfa Ibrahim Gbodofu was once a good friend and ally. His first lecture that made him known, about thirty-four years ago, was at my mother’s return-from-Hajj celebration. He even sang waka there. From that time, I supported him, and our friendship was strong.
But sadly, because of disputes with Naqeebul Ashraf Salaty, he turned against me too. He even threatened me and my family, simply because I refused to make Naqeeb my enemy. I don’t believe in that. If someone has not wronged me, why should I fight them? Unfortunately, envy blinded him, and he allowed himself to be used as a tool for division.
ISPARTV: Finally, what message do you want to share with the Qadiriyyah community?
Khaleepha Muh Solihu:
This is my story. I do not share it to fight anyone or to claim superiority. I share it to make the truth clear.
I did not accept Olohungbo’s wrongful offer. I only accepted when it was rightfully given by Salaty, and only after saying no several times. And before accepting, I followed my father’s example — settling disputes, unifying people, and serving quietly.
As Grand Khaleepha of Qadiriyyah Lagos, I will continue on that path. May Allah keep us united and guide us to the right path.
Khaleepha Muh Solih Babaniji Amosa
The Grand Khaleepha Quadiriyah Lagos State
Thaany Sooliheena Markaz
