Sheik Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory

Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory (1917 – 3 May 1992) was a Beninese-Nigerian Islamic scholar, author, multi-talented scholar and education reformer. 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 In 1946, he travelled to Cairo, where he submitted himself for examination at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. His confidence was justified when he successfully passed the examination with credit and was awarded the University's Certificate in Arabic and Islamic Studies in the same year.

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.

Al-Ilory was also the Co-founder and Secretary General of a historic cultural institution in Ilorin established by the 9th Emir of Ilorin, Sheikh Zulqarnayni bin Muhammad Gambari, in 1963. Named Darul Ulum li-Jabhatil Ulamai wal A'immah, Ilorin. The institution was founded under the guidance and direction of this great scholar.

Writings Al-Ilory authored over one hundred books, journal articles and manuscripts on Islam and other related fields. Many of his works have been serving as valuable reference materials for numerous Bachelor of Arts long essays, Master of Arts dissertations, doctoral theses, and scholarly articles published in reputable journals. His book Al-Islam fi Nijiriya remains one of the most widely consulted sources on the history of Islam in Nigeria and frequently referenced by scholars across the world. Another notable work, Misbah ad-Dirasat al-Adabiyyah fi ad-Diyar an-Nijiriyyah, is prescribed as a textbook for the study of Arabic literature in Nigeria in the Master of Arts Arabic programme at the University of Ilorin. The institution attract students both within and outside Nigeria.