Alhaji Yahaya Madawaki

Alhaji Yahaya Madawaki was a prominent Nigerian politician, former Minister of Health, the Madawaki of Ilorin and the Atunluse of Erin-Ile, Kwara State. He was born in 1907 in Ilorin, Kwara State, the oldest son of a wealthy trader and a devout Muslim. He started his education at the Koranic school and then attended Ilorin Provincial primary School. He was selected to proceed to Katsina Training College, which later became Barewa College, for further education in 1922. He was a brilliant student and sportsman, becoming the Head Boy and football captain of the college. He also gave the welcome address to the Governor of Nigeria, Sir Hugh Clifford, during the official commissioning of the college in 1924. He taught at Katsina College for two years and his students included many future leaders of Nigeria, such as Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Mohammed Bello, Ibrahim Coomassie, Ibrahim Dasuki, and others. He later became the Headmaster of Ilorin Middle School and a prominent community leader, famously settling several disputes and earning the respect of both the locals and the British colonial authorities. He was awarded the Coronation Medal of King George VI in 1936 for his services. He became the Chairman of the Ilorin Emirate Council in 1936, where he acquired the nickname “Yahaya Kiigbaa” (“Yahaya doesn't accept”) for his probity and staunch efforts to eliminate corruption in the council. He was also a member of the delegation to the first African conference in London in 1948 and was received at Buckingham Palace by King George VI. He was nominated as a member of the Northern Regional House of Assembly and the Ilorin Native Authority Council. Following the McPherson Constitution in 1952, he was elected as one of the five members of the Northern Regional House of Assembly to join the central government legislature. He was appointed as the Minister of Health in 1954 and held the position until 1957. He was instrumental in improving the health care system in Nigeria, especially in the areas of maternal and child health, tuberculosis control, leprosy eradication, and malaria prevention. He also established the first medical school in Nigeria at the University of Ibadan in 1957. He retired from active politics in 1957 and devoted his time to his religious and traditional duties. He was conferred with the titles of Madawaki of Ilorin and Atunluse of Erin-Ile in recognition of his contributions to the society. He was also honoured with the national awards of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He died in 1998 at the age of 91 and was buried in Ilorin, Kwara State. He is remembered as one of the most influential and respected leaders of Nigeria.