Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory

Al-Ilory was born in Waza, in present-day Benin Republic, into the family of Abdul Baqi Al-Ilory. He was of Yoruba ancestry and later moved to Ilorin, Nigeria, where he began his Islamic education under his father and other scholars. ==Education and reform==

He pursued higher Islamic studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. In 1952, he founded the Arabic and Islamic Training Centre (Markaz) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, before relocating it to Agege, Lagos in 1955. At Markaz, Al-Ilory introduced a structured, modern system of Islamic learning—using classrooms, blackboards, written exams, student uniforms, and a subject-based curriculum. This marked a departure from traditional Qur’anic methods of education in Nigeria. ==Writings==

Al-Ilory authored several works in Arabic, including: • Naseem Soba (Morning Breeze) • El Islam Fi Naijiriyya (Islam in Nigeria) • Hukukul-Insaani (Human Rights) • Al Islam Dinu Wa Daolat (Islam is Religion and Government) • Aslu Kobaail-Yoruba (The Origin of Yoruba Tribes) • Aatharulilmi Watasowuf Fil-Islam (The Role of Knowledge and Sufism in Islam) • Dahoru Tasowuwasofiyat (Purpose of Sufism) • Nizoomu Tahalimul-Arabiy Wahlislamiy (System of Arabic and Islamic Education) • Al Islam Wa Taqoolidil-Jahiliyyah (Islam and Pre-Islamic Traditions) • Lamhada tul-Balury fi Ulamaai al-Ilory (Overview of the Scholars of Ilorin) • ''Ali Heedu Al'Arbahuna min Taasisil-Markaz'' (Markaz 40th Anniversary, 1985) ==Religious influence==

He was a follower of the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence and a member of the Qadiriyya Sufi order. He served as Secretary-General of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta regions. ==Markaz legacy==

The Markaz institution introduced innovations such as blackboard teaching, exams, school uniforms, and certificates in the Southwest region of Nigeria. In 1957, the center held its first graduation, attracting a new wave of Islamic students and reformers who would go on to replicate the model. ==Personal life==

Sheikh Al-Ilory married six wives and had 23 children. Their names include: • Ridwanullah (deceased) • Maryam (deceased) • Habeebullah • Jamaldeen • Thaoban • Halimah • Fadeelah • Rahmatullah • Soffiyah • Sekinah • Abdullahi • Radhiyyah • Bashir • Jummah • Medinah • Ahmad (deceased) • Aisha • Khadeejah • Arafah • Hajarah • Yusuf • Sufyan • Adnan ==Death and legacy==

Al-Ilory died in London on 3 May 1992. His death was widely mourned across West Africa. In 2017, his centenary was celebrated in Nigeria, attracting national and religious leaders. ==See also==