Abubakar Alkano

Nigerian Yoruba scholar who created the first written Yoruba language system

Abubakar Alkano (1804-1887) revolutionized Yoruba cultural preservation by developing the first written form of the Yoruba language in the 1830s. A Muslim scholar from Oyo, he combined Arabic script with indigenous symbols to create what became known as Abukadi (Abu's Alphabet). This writing system allowed Yoruba proverbs, histories, and religious texts to be recorded for the first time, countering the colonial narrative that African languages were 'unwritten.'

Alkano's Esinrin Omo Obatala (The Daughter of Obatala) became the first Yoruba-language book published in 1843, using his script. Though overshadowed by Samuel Ajayi Crowther's later Latin-based system, Alkano's work laid critical groundwork for Yoruba linguistic identity. His manuscripts are preserved in the National Museum of Benin, where scholars study his unique combination of Arabic numerals and indigenous symbols.

Modern linguists credit him with preserving Yoruba oral traditions during the era of British colonialism. His legacy is celebrated annually at the Oyo Literary Festival, where his Abukadi system is demonstrated in calligraphy workshops. Alkano's work directly influenced the 1870s movement to standardize Yoruba orthography, ensuring the language's survival into the modern era.