40 INFLUENTIAL EMIRS WHO RULENORTHERN NIGERIA

40 INFLUENTIAL EMIRS WHO RULE
NORTHERN NIGERIA
Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero
The history of emirates in Northern Nigeria
dates back to about 1,500 years with the
Daura Emirate of Katsina State said to be the
oldest. It has the oldest existing place built
over 150 years ago; it was here that
Bayajidda Killed the notorious snake called
Sarki. It is an emirate that once had women
reigning for close to 20 generations before it
was changed. Today, all over the Northern
Nigeria states are Emirs or Sultan or
traditional rulers who are highly respected in
their communities and all over the world
based on their prominence, influence and
affluence. They are distinguished eminent
men who before ascension to the throne were
already made either as civil servants or
boardroom gurus with vast interest in various
sectors of the economy. In this pieces,
KIKELOMO IWAJOMO write on the paramount
traditional rulers who dominate the 3
Northern geo-political zones (North-Central,
North-Eastern and North-western) in Nigeria.
ALHAJI (DR.) ADO BAYERO (EMIR OF KANO)
Alhaji Bayero became the Emir of Kano in
1963; it is imperative to mention that he was
an ambassador to Senegal. He is the son of
the late Abdullahi Bayero dan Muhammad
Abbas, who was also an Emir of Kano. Aside
his influence in Nigeria, the Emir is also
known for his abundant wealth. He is the
longest-serving emir in the emirate of Kano’s
history. During his tenure, he has seen the
Kano Emirate transform from a native
authority to community leadership. In the
education sector, he is also highly valued as
he’s been Chancellor of Universities at
different times.
ALHAJI (DR.) IBRAHIM SULU – GAMBARI
(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. Alhaj Sulu-
Gambari is the Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe
University (UNIZIK).
ALHAJ (DR.) SHEHU IDRIS(EMIR OF ZAZZAU)
Born in Zaria, Nigeria, Alhaj Shehu Idris, the
Emir of Zazzau, is a graduate of Public
Administration from Nigerian and Australian
institutions. He is the Chancellor, University of
Nigeria, Nsukak. Positions currently held by
him include Grand patron, fellow and
Chairman of several reputable organizations.
Dr. Idris has been conferred with several
national and international awards including
doctorate degrees from Federal University of
Technology Minna, University of Nigeria
Nsukka and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
DR. LAMIDO BARKINDO (LAMIDO ADAMAWA)
On March 18 , 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. Dr. Lamido Barkindo Aliyu
Mustafa is a traditional ruler with difference
as he has over the years continued to
champion good causes for his people.
ALHAJI A. KABIR USMAN (EMIR OF
KATSINA)
His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir
Usman is the Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo
University. Before he became Emir of Katsina,
he was Magajin Garin Katsina.
ALHUJI (DR.) MUHAMMAD YUMUSA II(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.
ALHUJI ISA AGWAI I(EMIR OF LAFIA)
As Emir of Lafia (in Nasarawa State), Dr. Isa
Mustapha Agwai clocked 38 years on the
throne in May 2012. Lafia became the capital
of a prominent local chiefdom in the early
19 century. The emirate formed the major
part of the Lafia Division of Benue province.
ALHAJI HASSAN AHMED II(EMIR OF
NASARAWA)
On May 22 2004, Alhaji Ahmed was
installed the 11 Emir of Nasarawa. His reign
presents itself as an epic and significant
chapter in the long and interesting history of
the Makama Dogo dynasty. From very small
beginning, this emirate has grown to be one
of the strongest in Nasarawa State.
ALHAJI (DR.) SAYYYADI MAHMOUD (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.
ALHAJI (DR.) FAROUK BAHAGO (EMIR OF
MINNA)
Alhaji Farouk Bahago is the Emir of Minna
(Niger State). He was few months ago
appointed Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamosi
Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai (Niger
State). Dr. Bahago was sometime back the
chancellor of Ambrose Alli University,
Ekpoma.
ALHAJI ADO IBRAHIM (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.
DA JACOB GYANG-BUBA (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, Da Jacob Gyang Buba became the
paramount ruler of Jos in 2009 having
succeeded the late monarch, Da Victor Pam.
ALHAJI SAMAILA MUHAMMAD MERA (EMIR
OF ARGUNGU)
Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, the Emir of
Argungu was born on 31 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.
ALHAJI RILWANU SULAIMAN ADAMU (EMIR
OF BAUCHI)
Alhaji (Dr.) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu was
born 14 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.
ALHUJI YAHAYA ABUBAKAR KUSODU (ETSU
NUPE)
Alhaji Abubakar was appointed the 13 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.
ALHAJI MUHAMMAD IDRISSA (EMIR OF FIKA)
Born 14 August, Alhaji Idrissa was appointed
13 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.
ALHAJI ABUBAKAR ISA (EMIR OF MUBI)
The ancient town of Mubi in Adamawa State
has been described as a commercial hub in
the northeastern region of Nigeria. Alhaji
Abubaukar Isa is the Emir of this emirate,
which house Adamawa State University and
Federal Polytechnic Mubi.
ALHAJI ABBAS TAFIDA (EMIR OF MURI)
Muri is a town and traditional emirate in the
northwestern Taraba State; heading this town
is Alhaji Abbas Njidda Tafida
ALHUJI ABUBAKAR ELKANEMI (SHEHU OF
BORNO)
He is the Shehu of the Borno Emirate in
Northeast Nigeria. Alhaji El-Kanemi has been
the Shehu of Borno since March 2009. Born
13 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.
ALHAJI ATTAHIRU AHMAD (EMIR OF ANKA)
Alhaji Ahmad is the Emir of Anka in Zamfara
state and he is the Chairman of Zamfara State
Councill of Chiefs.
ALHAJI ABUBAKAR ADAMU (EMIR OF
HADEJIA)
Born 15 October, Alhaji Adamu is the Emir
of Hadajia 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 13 September 2002, he was
crowned the 16 Fulani Emir of Hadejia and
the Chairman Jigawa State Council of Chiefs.
ALHAJI USAMD ABUBAKAR (EMIR OF GOMBE)
He is the 10 Emir of Gombe and Chairman
Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs.
Born 1938, he is the 5 son to late Emir of
Gombe, Mallam Abubahar Umar. He had his
secondary education at Barewa College Zaria
as far back as 1966. A seasoned
Administrator having served as a permanent
secretary, he was twice Member of the
National University Commission.
ALHAJI FARUK U. FARUK (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 Dminica conferred an
honourary doctorate award on Faruk for his
role in nation building.
ALHAJI MAJ. GEN. (DR.) MAHUMMADU SAMI
(EMIR OF ZURU)
Alhaji Sami, a retired Major General in the
military is the Emir of Zuru Emirate in Kebbi
State, this town has the most favourable
climate in the state with 5 months of rainfall
and 7 months of dry season. The people are
hospitable and friendly.
ALHUJI MUHAMMAD BASHAR (EMIR OF
GWANDU)
He is the Chairman, Kebbi State Council of
Chiefs. In 1986, the Gwandu Emirate saw the
dire need to share in the vast wealth of
experiences of Major General (Dr.)
Muhammad IIiyasu Bashar, he was made
CIROMAN GWANDU, a position reserved
exclusively for the favorite members of the
royalty. He was Chairman of the New Nigerian
Development Company Limited (NNDC);
Deputy Secretary General of the Nigerian
Islamic Council for Islamic Affairs from 1988
to 1998.
ALHAJI (DR.) MUHAMMAD DANBABA (EMIR
OF GUSAU)
Alh. (Dr.) Muhammad Kabir Danbaba, Emir of
Gusau Capital city of Zamfara State was born
in 1927. At the age of 47, he became the
Magajin Garini in 1974, a position he held at
a period of 10 years. He then became District
Head of Gausau in 1994, a position he held
for a period of 13 years. Because of his
efficiency and zeal in his office, he became a
first class Emir in 2000.
ALHAJI AHMAD UMAR (EMIR OF
KWATARKASSHI)
Aluaji Ahmed Umar, the Emir of Kwatarkasshi
in Bungudu Local Government area of
Zamfara State has been on the throne for the
past 51 years. The 84 years old Emir has
over the years maintained harmony in his
emirate.Aluaji Ahmed Umar, who is fondly
called Mai-Kwatarkasshi; is the 28 ruler of
the town, whose stool was founded 600 years
ago. He ascended the throne on March 17,
1961
ALUJAI (DR.) HAHUN SABUS (EMIR OF
DUTSE)
The Emir of Dutse (in Jigawa State), Aluaji Dr.
Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi, is credited with the
building of one of the biggest golf course in
West Africa, a golf course covering expansive
land of about 125 hectares with lake
surrounding it. He developed interest in golf
through his friends – the Emir of Suleja,
Kazaure, Brinin Gwarid. He studies accounting
and Economic.
ALHAJA MOHAMMED IBRAHAM (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
19 century, formerly called Abuja, in what is
now Niger State. Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim
became the Emir of SuleJa in 1993.
Alhuji Ahmed Sani II (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 16 Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Mohammed
Sani had a brilliant working career, which
spanned a period of 19 years.
ALHAJI NAJIB ADAMU (EMIR OF KAZAURE)
Coroneted in 1998 as the 10 Emir of
Kazaure’s (in Jigawa State) Fulani Dynasty
(The Yarimawa), he is the first chancellor of
the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU). A
trained lawyer, he attended Rumfa College
Kano and the Ahmadu Bello University in
Zaria. In his public service years, he was
Deputy Director, legal Services of the
petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF).
DR. ALFRED AKAWE TORKU-LA IV (TOR TIV)
He is the paramount ruler of the Tiv people in
Benue state. H.R.H. Alfred Akawe Torkula, the
4 Tor Tiv, was coroneted in 1991.
Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Umar Of KATAGUM
Katagum Emirate in Bauchi state is the
second largest emirate next to Bauchi Emirate
in terms of production and size. The present
emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Umar was
installed in 1980. Before his selection as the
Emir, he had held various offices in ministries
and was also at different times, the pro-
chancellor of universities.
ALHAJI UMAR ALIYU (EMIR OF BIU)
The Biu Emirate is in Borno state, Nigeria.
Prior to 1920, it was referred to as the Biu
Kingdom. The current ruler is Maidalla
Mustafa dan Aliyu who became Mai Biu in
1959. He is a brother to late super permanent
secretary Ibrahim Damcida, a prince of Biu.
ALHAJI ABUBAKAR SULEIMAN (EMIR OF
BADE)
He was turbaned as the 11 Emir of Bade
(Mai Bede) on 12 November 2005. He is head
of the traditional State of Bade with
headquarters in Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria.
He attended Borno College of Basic studies
(1080 – 1981) and then Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria and University of Maiduguri.
AGABAIDU ELIAS IKOYI OBEKPA (OCHI IDOMA
OF IDOMA LAND)
Born to Chief (Oche) Obekpa Onoja in Ipole
Otukpa, Benue State, he was enthroned king
in 1997. He is married to Florence Alamentu
Obekpa nee Edache.
ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR (EMIR OF ZURMI)
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the emir of Zurmi in
Zamfara state. His father was said to be the
first traditional ruler in the whole of Zamfara
to buy a car in 1955. Apart owing the first to
own a car in the emirate, Alhuji Abubakar’s
father was also said to be the first traditional
ruler in the Northern Nigeria to build a
befitting guest house for the late premier of
the Northern region.
ALHAJI (DR.) BELLO BARMO (EMIR OF
TALALATA MAFARA)
Alh. (Dr.) Bello Muhammad Barmo was born
at Talata Mafara in Zamfara state. He
attended many institutions after his primary
schools and later graduated from University of
Maiduguri. He was appointed as district head
of Talata Mafara on April 27 1996, and later
turbaned as the first emir of Mafara in 1997.