Ilorin, Kwara State — The descendants of the historic Magaji Aliagan family of Ilorin Emirate have issued a formal rebuttal to claims contained in a recent publication authored by Professor Abubakar Imam Ali-Agan, titled “Shaykh Imam Ya’qub Ali-Agan: The New Sarkin Malamai of Ilorin.”
In a detailed rejoinder titled “Between Historical Facts and Fallacies,” the Magaji Aliagan family described several assertions made by the professor as “historically inaccurate, misleading, and inconsistent with documented evidence.” The rejoinder, signed by Professor Taiye Shehu Aliagan, Alhaji Danialu Tunde Olokoba Aliagan, Mallam Uthman Taiye Kawu, Imam Muhammad La’aro Yakub Aliagan, and Professor Isiaka Zubair Aliagan, seeks to clarify what it termed “distortions of established historical facts” concerning the origin, lineage, and traditional authority of the Aliagan dynasty.
According to the rejoinder, the claim in Prof. Abubakar’s article that the Aliagan family was founded by “two jolly friends” — thereby implying the existence of separate “Magaji” and “Imam” lineages — is “baseless and inconsistent with Ilorin’s historical tradition.”
The family reaffirmed that the Aliagan dynasty traces its origin solely to Mallam Aliyu, a renowned warrior-scholar who migrated from Oyo-Ile to Ilorin prior to the collapse of the Old Oyo Empire. Upon arrival, Mallam Aliyu settled under the reign of Shehu Abdul Salami bn Shaykh Alimi, the first Emir of Ilorin, who granted him land to establish what is now known as Ode Aliagan.
“There has been only one Magaji Aliagan family and it has no parallel,” the statement emphasized. “The narrative of a dual authority or divided lineage does not align with historical reality or Ilorin’s socio-political and religious traditions.”
The rejoinder also addressed the origin and development of the Aliagan Mosque, clarifying that it was originally built by Mallam Aliyu himself and later expanded during the tenure of Magaji Aliagan Danialu, the fifth Magaji of the dynasty. During this expansion, thirteen families were invited to form the mosque’s congregation, and Mallam Uthman, brother to Magaji Danialu, was appointed as the first Imam.
The family explained that, in line with Ilorin’s traditional practice, the authority to appoint Imams has always resided with the Magaji of the compound. Successive Imams, including the father of the current Imam, were appointed by the reigning Magaji in accordance with established custom.
“The Imam leads prayers and performs spiritual duties, but does so under the authority of the Magaji,” the rejoinder stated. “At no time in history has there existed a parallel leadership structure within the Aliagan family.”
The rejoinder also rejected Prof. Abubakar’s claim that the name “Ode Ali-Agan” originated from “Ode Nla” (meaning “a spacious place”), describing the statement as “a serious misrepresentation.”
It clarified that “Ile Aliagan” was the original name of the compound established by Mallam Aliyu, while “Ode Aliagan” referred to the surrounding settlements that emerged later. The term “Ile Nla” or “Ode Nla”, according to the rejoinder, was merely a descriptive term reflecting the grandeur of the Magaji’s compound, which was traditionally known for its imposing gate (Enu Ilo) and significance within the community.
Regarding the etymology of “Ali-Agan,” the family acknowledged that while several oral traditions exist, the explanation provided by Prof. Abubakar does not represent a definitive account. The rejoinder noted that established historical works, including Breakers of the City Wall: A Socio-Economic and Political History of the Aliagans and Their Neighbours (2015), have recorded multiple possible origins, including references to Aliyu’s military exploits or his initial period of childlessness.
The family further disputed the claim that the progenitor of the dynasty was “Magaji Abdulganiyu,” describing it as “entirely fictitious and unsupported by any historical documentation.” It reaffirmed that Mallam Aliyu remains the sole progenitor of the Aliagan dynasty.
The rejoinder also corrected the misinterpretation of records attributed to the late Ilorin historian, Alhaji Safi Ajibola Jimba, noting that Jimba’s reference to a possible Malian origin was made in relation to Aliagan, not any “Imam Abdullahi,” as erroneously presented in Prof. Abubakar’s account.
The rejoinder provided further clarification on the historic relationship between Aliagan and other early Ilorin figures such as Akaaba and Balogun Ajikobi, affirming that Mallam Aliyu Aliagan served as a warrior under the early Baloguns of the emirate. It noted that Aliagan’s contribution to Ilorin’s military campaigns earned him great renown, with oral accounts attesting that he once rescued the Emirate’s flag during battle — a testament to his courage and leadership.
“The true history of the Aliagan dynasty is that of a warrior-scholar who held both political and religious authority and whose descendants have continued to uphold that legacy with dignity,” the family stated.
While acknowledging Prof. Abubakar’s right to document his father’s biography, the Magaji Aliagan family emphasized the importance of historical accuracy and respect for established records in preserving Ilorin’s rich heritage.
“We appreciate the professor’s effort to celebrate his father’s contributions to Islamic scholarship,” the rejoinder noted, “but it is our duty to correct historical inaccuracies that could misinform future generations or distort the legacy of Ilorin’s founding families.”
The family concluded by encouraging researchers, historians, and interested members of the public to consult “Breakers of the Ilorin City Wall” and other verified sources for accurate historical documentation on the Aliagan dynasty and its place in the development of Ilorin Emirate.
“By setting the record straight,” the rejoinder concluded, “we seek not to create division but to preserve truth, honour, and the integrity of Ilorin’s historical institutions for posterity.”
