Author: Shola Ahmed Akanbi & Ibrahim Abdulganiyu Jawondo
Date: 2026/01/10
Ilorin Emirate has long been renowned for its deep-rooted traditions in Islamic and Western education, yet the role of women elite in shaping this intellectual landscape remain underexplored. Existing studies often foreground male scholars, thereby marginalising women's institutional and scholarly contributions. This study examines how women elite transformed education and scholarship in Ilorin Emirate between 1960 and 2023. It draws on oral interviews, archival materials, and relevant secondary sources to interrogate their interventions in both Arabic-Islamic and Western educational systems. The study argues that beyond classroom teaching, these women established schools, mentored generations of scholars, expanded access to female education, and contributed to the economic and institutional growth of the Emirate's educational sector. The study therefore concludes that recognising their roles therefore helps provide a more balanced understanding of the history of education in Ilorin and highlights the lasting impact of women elite in shaping the emirate's educational and social transformation.
Keywords: Arabic-Islamic Arabic Education, Western Education, Educational Transformation, Ilorin Emirate, Scholarship, Women Elite.
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