By Mohammed Baba Busu
Bida, June 27, 2026 (NAN), Former President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has described the translation of the Holy Qur’an into the Nupe language as a landmark achievement that will deepen the understanding of Islam and strengthen the spiritual lives of millions of Nupe-speaking Muslims.
Babangida represented by Prof. Mohammed Kuta-Yahaya, Pro-Chancellor, Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM) stated this on Saturday in Bida while delivering his address as Chairman at the official launch of the Holy Qur’an translated into the Nupe language by renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Pati Emisheshi, held at the Wadata Palace.
He said the translation represented not only a major religious milestone for the Nupe people but also a significant contribution to Nigeria’s Islamic heritage by making the divine message of the Qur’an more accessible to people in their native language.
According to him, translating the Holy Qur’an into indigenous languages is an act of profound devotion and intellectual courage that bridges the gap between divine revelation and everyday understanding.
“The translation allows the faithful to grasp the meanings of Allah’s words in their mother tongue, thereby deepening their relationship with their Creator and enriching their spiritual lives.
“This work ensures that the message of mercy, justice, compassion and righteousness resonates clearly in the language of the home, the market and the community,” IBB said.
Babangida commended Sheikh Emisheshi for what he described as an invaluable service to Islam and humanity, noting that the translation would enhance Qur’anic understanding among those who were not fluent in Arabic.
He observed that the project reflected the rich Islamic heritage of the Nupe people and demonstrated how faith and culture could harmoniously coexist in promoting moral values and societal development.
The former president recalled the rich tradition of Qur’anic scholarship that once flourished in Nupe land, where scholars adopted a rigorous method of teaching by reading Qur’anic verses in Arabic, translating them into Hausa before interpreting them into Nupe.
He said the system produced generations of scholars with profound knowledge of the Qur’an and its practical application.
According to him, the newly translated Qur’an is not the beginning of a new tradition but a restoration of the glorious legacy of Islamic scholarship in Nupe land.
Babangida also congratulated the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, for his visionary leadership and commitment to promoting religious, cultural and educational development.
He noted that the royal father’s support had placed Nupe Kingdom among communities making remarkable contributions to the global spread and understanding of the Holy Qur’an.
The former president said available records showed that the King Fahd Complex had printed Qur’an translations in 72 languages, while the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community had translated the Qur’an into nearly 80 languages, with academic studies indicating that the holy book had been translated into about 105 languages through almost 1,500 translation works worldwide.
He stressed that beyond reading and recitation, the Qur’an remained a complete guide for righteous living, calling on Muslims to uphold justice, fairness, honesty, charity and compassion in all aspects of life.
Babangida expressed concern that the distractions associated with the digital age had weakened the culture of intensive Qur’anic learning, patience and discipline that characterised earlier generations of Islamic scholars.
He, however, said the Nupe translation offered an opportunity to revive the culture of deeper Qur’anic study by making the message of Allah more understandable to the people.
He urged Muslims to embrace the translation as a tool for spiritual renewal, moral reawakening and community development.
The former president further appealed to the custodians of the translated Qur’an to ensure its widespread distribution, particularly in rural communities where access to Islamic literature in indigenous languages remained limited.
He said the translation should serve as a powerful instrument for Da’awah, unity and peaceful coexistence among Muslims irrespective of ethnic or sectarian differences.
Babangida also called on governments at all levels, philanthropists and Islamic organisations to support similar initiatives aimed at translating the Holy Qur’an into other Nigerian languages to promote wider understanding of Islam.
He congratulated Sheikh Emisheshi, the Nupe Traditional Council, the Wadata Palace and all individuals who contributed to the successful completion of the historic project.
He prayed that Allah would accept the noble effort, bless all those associated with the translation and make it a lasting source of guidance, peace, unity and prosperity for the Nupe nation and Nigeria as a whole.