The Emirs of Northern Nigeria preside over the numerous emirates of the country. Their number has gradually grown since the introduction of sub-class emirates in the third and fourth Nigerian Republics. Although constitutionally nominal since the first republic, they continue to be a source of authority and influence throughout Northern Nigeria. These set of emirs are very popular and they are highly influential. They are close to the corridors of power and control large emirates in the north. Brought to you below by City People Society Editor, TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI are some of the top emirs who control the north.
(SULTAN OF SOKOTO)
Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, born August 24, 1956 in Sokoto is the 20th Sultan of Sokoto. The titular ruler of Sokoto in northern Nigeria is the head of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (Society for the Support of Islam – JNI), and president-general of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).As Sultan of Sokoto, he is considered the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s ninety million Muslims, roughly fifty percent of the nation’s population. Sa’adu Abubakar succeeded his brother, Muhammadu Maccido, who died in ADC plane crash. Abubakar is the fifth heir to the two century-old throne founded by his ancestor, Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio. He attended the prestigious Barewa College, Zaria and proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1975 where he was a member of the 18th Regular Course. Abubakar was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1977 and served in the elite Armoured Corps. As the sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar is the leader of the Qadiriyya Sufi Order historically the most important Muslim position in Nigeria.
(EMIR OF KANO)
Muhammadu Sanusi II CON, born Sanusi Lamido Sanusi 31 July 1961 is the 14th Emir of Kano, who was crowned on 8 June 2014 after the death of his grand uncle Ado Bayero. He was a banker and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was appointed on 3 June 2009 for a five-year term. Sanusi is the grandson of Muhammadu Sanusi I, the 11th Fulani Emir of Kano. A banker and Fulani nobleman, he is also a respected Islamic scholar. Sanusi was born into the Fulani Torobe (Sullubawa) clan of Kano. As the grandson of Muhammadu Sanusi, he was automatically a member of the Sullubawa clan of the Torobe Fulani. His father, Ambassador Aminu Sanusi, was a career diplomat who was the Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium, China and Canada and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sanusi received his primary education at St. Anne’s Catholic Primary School in Kakuri, Kaduna from there to Kings college Lagos then Ahmadu Bello University.
(EMIR OF ILORIN)
A respected jurist, Alhaj Ibrahim K. Sulu-Ibrahim, who retired as a judge from the court of Appeal, became emir of Ilorin in Kwara State in the 90s. He is one of the eminent jurists produced by the Law School in the 60s. He is the Chairman of Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers. Alhaji Sulu-Gambari is the Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK).
(EMIR OF HADEJIA)
Born 15th October, Alhaji Adamu is the Emir of Hadejia in Jigawa State. He was crowned with the title of Iyan Hadejia and served on the Council of Hadejia Emirate between 1999 -2000. And on 13th September 2002, he was crowned the 16th Fulani Emir of Hadejia and the Chairman Jigawa State Council of Chiefs.
(EMIR OF ZAZZAU)
Born in Zaria, Nigeria, Alhaj Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris is the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau and the Chairman of Zazzau Emirate Council and Kaduna State Emirate Council. He ascended the throne on February 8, 1975 following the demise of Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu, the 17th Emir of Zazzau. He is a graduate of Public Administration from Nigerian and Australian institutions. He is the Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsuka. Positions currently held by him include Grand patron, fellow and Chairman of several reputable organizations.
(LAMIDO ADAMAWA)
On March 18th, 2010, Lamido Dr. Muhammed Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa stepped into the big shoes left by his late father, lamido. Dr. Aliyu Musdafa as Lamido Adamawa, an over 200 years old Emirate is a traditional ruler with difference as he has over the years continued to champion good causes for his people. He attended Barewa College, Zaria and then Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Diploma in Law in 1969. Later he attended North London Polytechnic and St Clements University in the Turks and Caicos Islands). He worked with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Port Authority and the National Freight Company. Joining the Gongola State civil service, he became a Commissioner for Works and later a Commissioner for Animal Health. Barkindo was a director of the National Engineering and Technical Company, chairman of Stirling Civil Engineering Nigeria Limited and chairman of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
(EMIR OF KATSINA)
His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir Usman was the Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University. Before he became Emir of Katsina, he was Magajin Garin Katsina and chancellor of University of Ilorin. He is the 50th Emir of Katsina chronologically and the 4th from Sullubawa dynasty succeeding his father Muhammadu Kabir Usman.
(EMIR OF KEFFI)
This highly revered monarch is the Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State. Keffi is located just around Aduja, Nasarawa. The emirate was founded about 1800 by Abdu Zanga (Abdullahi), a Fulani warrior from the north.
(EMIR OF LAFIA)
Alhaji Sidi Bage, Justice of the Supreme Court emerged the 17th Emir of Lafia Emirate following the demise of Alhaji Mustapha Agwai I on Jan. 10. Bage was born on June 22, 1956, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, He is a product of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where he applied for a Diploma Programme in Law obtained same at Credit Level and later got his L.L.B. Hon degree in 1980. Bage worked as a Legal Officer, Ground Training Group, Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna (NYSC) 1981 to 1982, and Appointed Magistrate Grade II Plateau State Judiciary 1982.He was Promoted Magistrate Grade I 1984, Promoted Senior Magistrate Grade II 1986, Appointed Chief Magistrate II F.C.T Judiciary 1989, Promoted Chief Magistrate I. 1990 and was promoted as Deputy Chief Registrar FCT Judiciary 1991.He was again, Promoted Substantive Chief Registrar, FCT High Court January, 1992, elevated to the High Court Bench as a Judge Nov. 9, 1992, elevated Justice Court of Appeal Dec. 10, 2007, and Appointed Justice of the Supreme Court on Dec. 5, 2016.
(EMIR OF RINGIM)
The Ringim Emirate Council in Jigawa State was created in November 1991, with Alhji Dr. Sayyyadi Abubakar Mahmond (CON) as the first. He was born to Mahmoud Usma Wasbam Kano district head of Ringim. Before he became Emir, he was district head of Ringim till 1991 when he was appointed. He was honoured with Doctorate Degree (Doctor of Laws) by the Delta State University Abraka (where he is Chancellor) in 1994.
(EMIR OF MINNA)
Alhaji Farouk Bahago is the Emir of Minna (Niger State). He was at a time appointed Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai (Niger State). Dr. Bahago was the chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
(OHINOYI OF EBIRALAND)
His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim attended Oduduwa College, IIe-Ife, where he completed his secondary education. He earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics of the London School of Economics, in 1954. The following year he won a Ford Foundation sponsorship to undertake a 6-month course in marketing and business strategy at the Business School of Harvard University. On the strength of his performance, he was later readmitted into the master’s Programme of the school as a full time student. He thus earned the celebrated Harvard MBA in 1959. As he grows in wealth, he has continued to give financial support to worthy causes. He was appointed Paramount Monarch of Ebira Atta III in 2007, Ohinoyi of Ebira and Vice President Kogi state Council of Chiefs.
(GBONG GWOM JOS)
He is a retired Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs and current chairman of the Plateau State traditional Council, Gbong Gwom Jos, Dr. Jacob Gyang Buba became the paramount ruler of Jos in 2009 having succeeded the late monarch, Da Victor Pam.
(EMIR OF ARGUNGU)
Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, the Emir of Argungu was born on 31st January 1961 in Argungu, Kebbi State. A trained civil engineer, he worked in various capacities in the Civil Service and rose to the position of Chief Engineer (Project and Design). He was later appointed Commissioner of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development, a position he held until his installation as the Emir of Argungu in 1996.
(EMIR OF BAUCHI)
Alhaji (Dr.) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu was born 14th October at Bauchi City. He is a graduate of Building Technology. He worked with Nigeria Ports Authority and Nigeria Sao Tome & Principe Joint Development. In 2010, he became the Emir, succeeding his late father Suleiman Adamu Jumba.
(ETSU NUPE)
Alhaji Abubakar was appointed the 13th Etsu Nupe, Niger State on 11 September 2003. Born on September 12 at Bida, he comes from the ruling house of Etsu Musa compound. He enrolled in the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna in preparation for joining the army. Kusodu’s last military posting was in Cairo, where he was a defense attaché before retiring as a Colonel in July 2003. He is Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.
(EMIR OF FIKA)
Born 14 August, Alhaji Idrissa was appointed 13th Emir of the Fika Emirate (in Yobe State) on 16 March 2009. He attended Kaduna Capital School, Barewa College, Zaria then North Staffordshire University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Studies. He also attended the City University London, gaining a Master’s degree from the Department of Sociology. He was given the title of Yeriman Fika in 2002, and in 2009 became emir in succession to his father.
(EMIR OF MURI)
Muri is a town and traditional emirate in the northwestern Taraba State; heading this town is Alhaji Abbas Njidda Tafida.
(SHEHU OF BORNO)
He is the Shehu of the Borno Emirate. Alhaji El-Kanemi has been the Shehu of Borno since March 2009. Born 13th May, he rose in the Civil Service and became Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Finance, Works and Housing and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
(EMIR OF GOMBE)
Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar born December 17, 1977 in Gombe. He has been ascribed to be the youngest emir in Nigeria. The traditional leader was appointed the 11th Emir of Gombe in June 2014.He became Emir following the death of his father, Shehu Abubakar, the 10th emir, who died on May 27, 2014.Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar is Shehu Abubakar’s second son. Abubakar served as a Supervisory Councillor on the Gombe Local Government Council from 2006 to 2007. From 2007 until 2009, he worked as the personal assistant to the Director of Administration at the Federal Nigerian Ministry of Defence in Abuja. He later became the chairman of Kliptown Lagoon Nigeria Ltd. and the executive director of Horizon Interlinks Global Resources. Until his appointment, he was the Santurakin Gombe.
(EMIR OF DAURA)
Alhaji Faruk is the 60th Emir of the Daura Emirate. The Emirate is based on the town of Dauru in Katsina State. He became Emir on 28 February 2007 following the death of Sarkin Muhammadu Bashar dan Umar. In July 2009 the European – American University Commonwealth of Dominica conferred an honourary doctorate award on Faruk for his role in nation building. Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar was born in Gombe, Nigeria. He attended Gombe Children Primary School from 1982 to 1988 and the Government Science Secondary School, Gombe, from 1989 until 1995. Shehu-Abubakar received his bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Maiduguri.
(EMIR OF ZURU)
Alhaji Sami, a retired Major General in the military is the Emir of Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State. Brigadier Mohammed Sani Sami was Governor of Bauchi State, Nigeria from January 1984 to August 1985 during the military regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Mohammed Sani Sami was born in Zuru in Kebbi State. He joined the army on 10 December 1962, and attended training courses with Ibrahim Babangida. Mohammed Sani Sami retired as a major general on 3 September 1990. He later became the Emir of Zuru, in Kebbi State. Mohammed Sani Sami was appointed governor of Bauchi State after a coup on 31 December 1983 that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power. He held office until August 1985, when General Ibrahim Babangida took over from Buhari.
(EMIR OF GUSAU)
Three years ago, a registered nurse, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, ascended the throne of his forefathers by becoming the Sarkin Katsinan Gusau (Emir of Gusau. He is from the royal family. He is a descendant of Sambo Dan Ashafa and was born in Wonaka in 1954, where the late Sambo was buried. After completing his primary school education in 1966, he proceeded to Birnin Kebbi Secondary School and was there till 1970. From there, he went to Gusau Secondary School. In 1972, He went to a school of nursing and graduated from there in 1976. Then he served at Gusau General Hospital in 1977. He went to Bayero University Kano in 1987, where he had Diploma in Education. From there, he went to Manchester University and graduated from there with a Master’s degree in Primary Health Education. He was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and later appointed as commissioner of the Ministry of Animal Health both in Zamfara State.
(EMIR OF SULEJA)
He served as governor of Niger State from October 1979 to December 1983 during the Nigerian Second Republic. The Suleja Emirate is a Hausa emirate established in the early 19th century, formerly called Abuja, in what is now Niger State. Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim became the Emir of Suleja in 1993.He is the Sarkin Zazzau of Suleja.
(EMIR OF GUMEL)
He is the longest – reigning emir in Jigawa State. Born in December 1942, he had his first degree at Ohio University, USA, then master’s degree in International Relations at the same University in 1977. Prior to his enthronement as the 16th Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Mohammed Sani had a brilliant working career, which spanned a period of 19 years.
EMIR OF BORGU
The new Emir of Borgu kingdom is Alhaji Mohammed Sani Haliru Dantoro Kitoro the 1V. He is the chairman of Borgu Emirate Council. He is a Member Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers. He is the former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Niger State on Political Matters. He is a member of Nigeria Bar Association, Director/Legal Adviser North Prime Biosys Limited, Director Synergy, Shelter Limited, Chief Executive Marafa Synergy Limited, Principal Partner M.S. Dantoro and Associates. Dantoro will be the 315th Emir of Borgu Kingdom.
–TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI
