Islam and Colonial Rule in Ibadan from 1893-1960

Abstract

Scholars have attempted to examine the introduction and consolidation of Islam, as a significant component of the general history of Ibadan, a prominent town in modern southwestern Nigeria. However, no specific attention has been paid to the nature and consequences of colonial rule on Ibadan Muslims. This study intends to fill this obvious gap in the historiography of religion, Ibadan, and Yorubaland by focusing on how colonial authorities facilitated the entrenchment of Islam from 1893, when colonialism was imposed to 1960 when Nigeria removed the yoke of imperialism. Islamic learning centres promoted cultural influence with the establishment of structures that undermined the preservation of Yoruba identity as it is related to festivals and legal culture.  It reveals the specific policies and action of colonial authorities on the Ibadan Hausa Muslim immigrants who were allowed to exercise their freedom of association and religion. The imamate and the interaction of Islam and other religions in Ibadan during the colonial period were also discussed.