The names of families listed are the prominent families in Ilorin, Kwara state capital of Nigeria. They are the movers and shakers of the state with families from 3rd generation in politics and many more facts.
1 THE GAMBARIS
This is a great royal family in Ilorin, among them is the present Emir of Ilorin, Dr Zulu Gambari, also a notable politician, Balikisu Gambari,Omar Bolaji Gambari, a corporate attorney, is the Managing Director of Pollux Energy Solutions Limited.
2 THE SARAKIS
The late “Baba Oloye”, Dr. Olusola Saraki needs little or no introduction in the nation’s political arena. He was a former Senate Leader. He was popularly called the “the godfather of Kwara politics.” He was the patriarch of the Saraki family of Ilorin. This is the family that produced the likes of Dr. Bukola Saraki, the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, and the present Senator representing Kwara North Central in the Senate. Another popular member of this family is Sen. Gbemisola Saraki. The Sarakis are one of Ilorin’s richest families.
3 THE BELGORES
The Belgores is a family of reputable lawyers, some of whom are Senior Advocates of Nigeria(SAN) and judges. The likes of Justice Babatunde Belgore (former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Justice Alfa Belgore (former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Justice Ahmed Belgore, Justice Suleiman Belgore (Abuja High Court), Mohammed Dele Belgore, SAN; Yakubu Belgore; Maimuna Belgore-Shiru; Khadija Belgore. Some are Magistrates and State Counsels.
4THE ONIKIJIPAS
This is another notable Ilorin family that needs no much introduction. One of them is Sheikh Onikijipa Almisqeen, a highly Revered Islamic Spiritualist, he teaches Islamic Knowledge, he preaches around, which has made him a renowned scholar. He controls a large followership of Islamic faithfuls.
5 THE BARAJES
The Barajes are prominent family in Ilorin. They are successful Kwarans, and their descendants are still thriving tremendously in their chosen fields. One of them is Alhaji Kawu Baraje, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
6 THE ONIMAGOS
The Onimagos are blessed with successful offsprings. Alhaji Saka Onimago hails from this family.
7 THE ONIYANGIS
The Oniyangis are well known in Ilorin and has credible sons and daughters who are successful in their various fields.
8 THE IDIAGBONS
This is another prominent Ilorin family, with great house hold name. Late Major General Babatunde Idiagbon, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters (Vice President) during the Buhari Military, regime is from the family.
9 THE OLORIEGBES
This is a very popular family that has Alhaji Oloriegbe, a business mogul as member. The family has produced prominent business icons.
10 THE KAWUS
The patriarch of the Kawu family (father of the judiciary in Kwara State), Justice Sa’ idu Kawu was the first Chief Judge for Kwara State; he was later elevated to the Supreme Court, and he became the first son of the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State to become a Justice of the Supreme Court. Late Justice Kawu’s eldest son is Justice Suleiman Durosinlorun Kawu.
11 THE AYO SALAMIS
Justice Isa Ayo Salami, a former President of the Court of Appeal, has one of his sons doing well in the legal sector.
12 THE AJAIS
The Ajais are prominent people, a strong household name in Ilorin. They have successful sons and daughters.
13 THE ALIMIS
The Alimis are one of the foremost families in Ilorin. They are one of the largest families in Kwara State, notable and respected. They are blessed with successful sons and daughters who are doing well in various fields of life. Dr. Alimi Abdul-Razaq, is the Chairman of the Governing Board of Bridge House College.
14 THE MUSAS
This is the family of Sheikh Buhari Musa, the popular Islamic preacher with an assertive approach to most of the public lectures he anchors. With his creative way of spicing his lecture up with entertaining banters, he anchors most society events where a touch of Islamic food for thought is required.
15 THE GEGELES
The Gegeles are Ilorin indigenes to the core, they are well known, with credible sons and daughters who are successful in various fields.
16 THE LAWALS
This is another great Ilorin family, blessed with prominent politicians and legal luminaries. A member of this family is former Governor of Kwara State, late Mohammed Lawal.
17 THE BABAKINNINS
The Babakinnins also Knowns as "Bakinnins" are very large family in Ilorin Kwara State, the family includes notable people who have contributed immensely to both religious and economical development of Kwara State. Some of them are Dr. Aliyu Alarape Salman (SAN), a life bencher, the Doyen of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) in Kwara State, the forth oldest SAN in the North, 56th in Nigeria and the First SAN produced by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, He is one of the children of Sheikh Salman Ake. Alos Alhaja Muinat Bola Shagaya (The 3rd Richest Woman in Africa) She is grand Daughter of Sheikh Zakariyya Al-Busayri Tajul-Mumin etc.
18 THE AKANBIS
This is another prominent Ilorin family that has Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi, a former President of the Court of Appeal who headed the Nigerian Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). His son is also a successful lawyer who was a one time Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch.
19 THE LAAROS
This is another reputable family that has produced successful personnel. They are well known in Ilorin environs,one of them is Late Alhaji Usman Laaro and Alhaji Ayinla Laaro.
20 THE JIDDAHS
This is another very notable family in Ilorin. They are also blessed with successful offsprings, some of whom are prominent civil servants and politicians. Late Alhaji Amusa Jiddah was a popular godfather in Kwara State.
21 THE ATUNWAS
Abdulrazaq Atunwa, the present Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, who is also a successful politician, is from this family.
22 THE SOLIHUS
They are prominent Ilorin family, and they are blessed with successful children. One prominent member of the family is Imam Muhammed Bashir Solihu (OON), the Chief Imam of Ilorin. He was appointed in 1983, he leads the Jummat Prayer, and Eid Prayers.
23 THE BIBIRES
Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape, the present Senior Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor, Ahmed Abdulfattah on Political Matters hails from this family. They also have successful sons and daughters doing well in various fields.
24 THE SANNU SHEUS
The Sannu Sheus are very large Ilorin family. Sheikh Uthman Sannu Sheu is a relative of Sheikh Sayuti Jetemiodara of Ojagboro, Ilorin. He acquired knowledge from Sheikh Kamaldeen Al Adaby, which made him a renowned scholar who preaches across Ilorin and Nigeria as a whole.
25 THE SOLAGBERUS
They are also prominent, one of them is a former Chairman on Education Matters, they also produced notable politicians and businessmen.
26 THE GIWAS
This is another notable Ilorin family indeed. The family has produced technocrats and politicians of note.
27 THE OLODODOS
This is another very great Ilorin family that needs no introduction. Olododo, a politician per excellence is one of the notable members of this great Ilorin family.
28 THE KELANIS
This family is one of the biggest families in Ilorin and beyond, they have an endless list of successful children.
29 THE ALIAGANS
The Aliagans are one family that are well known in Ilorin environs, the popular On-Air personality and Islamic scholar, Alhaji Aliagan hails from this family.
30 THE ADEBAYO SALAMIS
The Adebayo Salamis are very notable, one of them is Adebayo Salami, the popular actor a.k.a. Oga Bello, not forgetting Femi Adebayo, Tope Adebayo, and many more.
31 THE DAIBUS
This is another great Ilorin family that is gifted with prominent politicians and legal luminaries. A member of this family, is a topshot in Kwara politics, Alhaji Lanre Daibu.
32 THE OBAS
This is indeed another very prominent Ilorin family which has the present Governorship aspirant under the People Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Oba Abdulrahman.
33 THE ADISAS
The Adisas also hail from Ilorin, and they are blessed with resourceful children, home and abroad, former military top bras, Gen. Abdulkareem Adisa hails from this family.
34 THE LAMBOS
This is a great Ilorin family that has successful legal practitioners as members. A Judge of the High Court is a member of the family.
35 THE ALAAYAS
The Alaaya family is very popular in Kwara State. One of the heads of this family, was Sheikh Abdul Rafiu Alaaya.
36 THE ADAMS
The Adams are one of the prominent family in Ilorin which include notable people like late Sheikh Adam Abdullahi, His successor Sheikh Habeeblahi Adam and many others.
37 THE KANIKES
This is another very prominent Ilorin family, that Dr. Abubakar Kanike, a very notable politician is the head of the family.
38 THE MUSTAPHAS
This is another notable Ilorin family that has a very prominent legal luminary and academician.Among them is Honourable Moshood Mustapha and Akeem Mustapha.
39 THE SANUSIS
They are prominent Ilorin family that has successful children from different generations, some of them are resourceful politicians, among them is Alhaji Toyin Sanusi.
40 THE OLOYINS
The Oloyins are very popular. One of them is the popular On-Air Personality, Alhaji Oloyin.
41 THE GOLDS
They are very prominent, one of them is the present Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kwara State, and a one time Senatorial candidate, Alhaji Isiaka Gold.
42 THE MAJAS
This is another great Ilorin family,which has very prominent politician, Alhaji Sulieman Maja as a member.
