Former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has described the translation of the Holy Qur’an into the Nupe language as a historic milestone that will deepen the understanding of Islam and strengthen the spiritual lives of millions of Nupe-speaking Muslims.
Babangida made the remarks on Saturday in Bida during the official launch of the Nupe translation of the Holy Qur’an by renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Pati-Emisheshi, at the Wadata Palace.
Represented by Prof. Mohammed Kuta-Yahaya, Pro-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM), the former president said the translation marked not only a significant religious achievement for the Nupe people but also an important contribution to Nigeria’s Islamic heritage.
He described translating the Qur’an into indigenous languages as 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,” he said.
Babangida commended Sheikh Emisheshi for what he called an invaluable service to Islam and humanity, noting that the translation would enable more Muslims who are not fluent in Arabic to understand the teachings of the Qur’an.
He said the project reflected the rich Islamic heritage of the Nupe people and demonstrated how faith and culture could work together in promoting moral values and societal development.
Recalling the long-standing tradition of Qur’anic scholarship in Nupe land, Babangida said generations of Islamic scholars were trained through the practice of reading Qur’anic verses in Arabic, translating them into Hausa and interpreting them in Nupe.
According to him, that approach produced scholars with deep knowledge of the Qur’an and its practical application.
“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,” he added.
The former president also congratulated the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, for his leadership and commitment to promoting religious, cultural and educational development.
He said the monarch’s support had positioned the Nupe Kingdom among communities making meaningful contributions to the global spread and understanding of the Holy Qur’an.
Babangida noted that available records showed the King Fahd Complex had printed Qur’an translations in 72 languages, while the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community had translated the holy book into nearly 80 languages.
He added that academic studies indicated the Qur’an had been translated into about 105 languages through nearly 1,500 translation works worldwide.
Beyond recitation, Babangida stressed that the Qur’an remained a comprehensive guide to righteous living, urging Muslims to uphold justice, honesty, fairness, charity and compassion in their daily lives.
He also expressed concern that 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.
According to him, the Nupe translation provides an opportunity to revive deeper Qur’anic study by making the message of Allah more accessible to the people.
He urged Muslims to embrace the translation as a tool for spiritual renewal, moral reawakening and community development.
Babangida further appealed to the custodians of the translated Qur’an to ensure its wide distribution, particularly in rural communities where access to Islamic literature in indigenous languages remains limited.
He said the translation should serve as an instrument for Da’awah, unity and peaceful coexistence among Muslims, irrespective of ethnic or sectarian differences.
The former president also called on governments, philanthropists and Islamic organisations to support similar initiatives aimed at translating the Holy Qur’an into more Nigerian languages to promote wider understanding of Islam.
He congratulated Sheikh Emisheshi, the Nupe Traditional Council, the Wadata Palace and all those who contributed to the completion of the project, praying that Allah would accept their efforts and make the translation a lasting source of guidance, peace, unity and prosperity for the Nupe nation and Nigeria.
