by 
[A tribute to Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, the 1st Kuliya Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate]
By Muritala Oladimeji Abdul-Rasheed, SAN, Ph.D (Murray)
On Friday, 11th day of April, 2025, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, Life Bencher, FCIArb will be turbaned as 1st Kuliya Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate by Mai Martaba the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji. Dr. Ibrahim sulu Gambari,CFR. The event is an apt reflection of the expression of giving honour to whom honour is due. The conferment of this traditional title, which is the first of its kind, was done in recognition of Professor Ali’s immense and laudable contributions to the development of the Ilorin Emirate over the years, and his impactful positive influence in Nigeria in general.
I have known Prof. Ali since my undergraduate days in Sokoto, as a core professional, a devout Muslim, defender of due process and rule of law and a humanist. While his gentle mien, amiable disposition, and unassuming personality may recommend him as a likable person to everyone, those who know him at close quarters would testify that these positive traits are just scratching the surface of the total virtues which he embodies.
In terms of life accomplishments, he may be described as an all-rounder achiever, as he had managed, within his 68 years of life, to post stellar performances and solid, enviable achievements across a whole gamut of indices that define success in human life.
These include his philanthropy, simplicity, laudable accomplishments in the fields of academic, religious activities, professional life, family life, community leadership, , and what is more, service to God and humanity.
Let me briefly state some of Prof. Ali’s contributions in some of these areas to buttress this tribute.
His philanthropic gestures
Through the instrumentality of his now popular foundation, tagged YUSUF O. ALI FOUNDATION, which he founded in 2009 and solely funds, Prof. Ali has rendered numerous assistance to individual and public institutions in Nigeria. These include regular donations to educational institutions. One can readily recounts the following: A Twin Dormitory of 40 bed spaces to the University of Ilorin; an Eighty bed Hostel to the Osun State University; and a Ten Bed fully equipped Advanced Trauma Centre to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital;
Other donations include Thirty unit ICT center to the Faculty of Law Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife; Thirty unit ICT center to the College of Law, Crescent University Abeokuta Ogun State; Endowment of the Crescent University College of Law Building; Forty unit E Resource center to the Kwara State polytechnic , Ilorin; A brand new Kia Rio 2014 Model to the University of Ibadan for the use of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies of the university; and a Twenty Room Luxurious Hostel to Fountain University, Osogbo, among numerous others.
Since 2012, he has been sponsoring the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA)/Yusuf Ali Reading Awareness Campaign.
Since the establishment of the foundation, many lives have been touched positively and the Foundation has continued to sustained individuals and so many public institutions.
Simplicity
Prof. Ali is an epitome of simplicity, leading a life devoid of materialism, sophistication and ostentation. In spite of his success in all areas of life, his humility is exemplary. His vast knowledge of law, Islamic culture and religion and western education in general has not imbued him with the minutest iota of pride or arrogance as would have been the case with many other persons.
His moderation in everything save his immaculate and highly expensive court apparel is admired by members of the legal profession and many Nigerians.t
Achievements in Law and character as epitome of Ethics
Prof. Ali is one of the most decorated Nigerian lawyers. Having been called to the Bar in 1983, he took the Silk in 1997. He is the Principal Partner of the Ilorin-headquartered Yusuf Ali & Co. (Ghalib Chambers), His brilliance in law, advocacy,respect for the bench,mentorshp of junior Colleagues,frankness and jurisprudential acumen has made him a respected figure in the legal profession in Nigeria.
Therefore the title of ‘Kuliyan’ to be bestowed on him which translates to “pinnacle of the law,” is an apt reflection of the height he has attained in the legal profession. Prof. Ali has authored many treatises which include those on exposition of social malaises and those which serve as beacons of light, education and capacity building for young practitioners and experienced practitioners alike. His publications include “Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, And Solutions” and “Two Decades of Forensic Advocacy At The Inner Bar.” He once served the chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Bar Journal a publication of the NBA.
Prof. Ali is known for his strong and uncompromising stance on professional ethics and he is often cited as a reference point to young professionals on the issue of ethical integrity and conduct.
He has handled many cases including high profile political matters.
From the time he was an Associate Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, till now that he is a Professor, he has delivered more than 300 papers on diverse topics at various fora. He contributed more than 20 Chapters to various legal books on many topics of law and published more than 40 learned articles in peer-reviewed journals in areas such as Commercial Law, jurisprudence , practice and procedure, constitutional law etc.
Prof. Ali is a member of many professional bodies including Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Commonwealth Lawyers Association. He is also a Life Bencher of Nigerian Body of Benchers, which is a body of “legal practitioners of the highest distinction in Nigeria”.
Religious Activities
In the midst of his highly-demanding professional career and other activities, Prof. Ali never waiver in the service of God. On the contrary, he is very passionate in discharging his duties, responsibilities and obligations as a devout Muslim. He is a well-known and respected figure in the Islamic community not only in Kwara State where he is based but also in the whole of Nigeria.
It is in recognition of his promotion and propagation of Islamic religion in Nigeria that the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria made him a life patron. Prof. Ali has also regularly used personal funds to finance Islamic enlightenment efforts across all media in Nigeria. He recently built a jumaat mosque for his homestead of Ifetedo in Osun State.
Life as a Family Man.
Prof. Ali is a family man who subscribes to the idea of a private family life. Thus he keeps his children out of the public spotlight except for family occasions. Nonetheless, he has staunch belief in imparting values and ethos like accountability, fairness, hard work , respect and responsibility in his children.
He also believes in allowing his children choose different professions instead of forcing his prescriptions on them. He said apart from the fact that variety is the spice of life, he believes that individual children have their natural preferences and it is the parents duties to allow them to be whom they are destined to be by God.
To reflect the perspective he has on family life, Prof Ali, who lost his wife to an auto accident 21 years ago and has not remarried since then, said the following in an interview in relation to his deceased lovely wife.
“My wife was to be 47 a week later when she died, her parents are still alive today, my mother is also still alive though my father is late. I thank my wife’s parents and my mother too for their love. My wife had some sterling qualities that I never saw or heard about in any woman except in my mother.“.…….. Her death is like a wound, it left a scar on me that is still there as I speak. ……….”
Community Leadership
Prof. Ali is has a track record as a successful and respected community leader. He has contributed positively and indelibly to all the facets of communities surrounding his life including legal, academic, religious, corporate and social communities.
While presenting the prestigious 2018 Peace Humanitarian Award to Prof. Ali in 2018, the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR) at the California State University, Sacramento, United States of America, eulogized Ali’s virtue as a community leader in the following words “The award is being given in recognition of Yusuf Ali’s distinguished contribution of his talent, time and treasure in promoting peaceable communities, institutions and organisations as well as numerous charitable works in various parts of Nigeria”
Prof Ali has served and is still serving on boards of many companies and institutions in the country. He is also a recipient of many National and International laurels.
It is heartwarming that all these accomplishments did not go unnoticed by the Ilorin Emirate and His Eminence, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, who has graciously conferred Mallam Ali with the enviable honour of the first Kuliyan Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate.
I join millions of Osun indigenes, Nigerians and the world at large in congratulating our “learned Oga” Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, on his turbaning as the 1st Kuliyan Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate.
Oye Amori ,
Allah ya taya riko, Aameen Ya Rabb.
By Muritala Abdul-Rasheed, SAN, Ph.D (aka Murray),
former National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
