The city of Ilorin was agog on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as Kwara State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, was turbaned as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.
The historic coronation held at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, and was witnessed by top dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, led the Federal Government delegation. He arrived at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin at exactly 1:05 p.m. and was received by Governor AbdulRazaq and Governors of Imo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Plateau and Gombe States.
No fewer than eight aircrafts landed in Ilorin for the event, bearing dignitaries including Governors of Ogun and Niger States, 10 Deputy Governors from Oyo, Jigawa, Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Anambra, Ondo, Kano, Nasarawa and Katsina States, Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Chairman BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Chairman Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji.
Also present were the wife of the Governor, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, Speaker Kwara House of Assembly and APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu Danladi, Mutawali of Ilorin, Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, traditional chiefs, and Council of Ulamas.
Before the turbaning, Vice President Shettima commissioned two legacy projects of the administration – the iconic Kwara State Garment Factory and the multi-storey Revenue House along Ahmadu Bello Way, GRA, Ilorin, which he described as one of the most beautiful edifices he has ever seen.
Speaking at the palace, Shettima praised AbdulRazaq as a very humble public servant who speaks less and does far more for the people, and conveyed the congratulations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also prayed for Allah’s guidance, health and strength for the new Sardauna, and for long life and prosperity for the Emir of Ilorin, while urging politicians to give peace a chance as they pursue their ambitions.