In Nigeria, the position of the Sultan of Sokoto is among the most powerful monarchs in the country. He serves as the leader of the Muslim population in Nigeria and the Sokoto Caliphate which provides religious leadership, Political and social coverage to the region.
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List of Sultan of Sokoto
| No | Sultan Name | Reign Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Usman dan Fodio (Founder) | 1804 – 1817 |
| 2 | Muhammed Bello | 1817 – 1837 |
| 3 | Abu Bakr Atiku | 1837 – 1842 |
| 4 | Aliyu Babba | 1842 – 1859 |
| 5 | Ahmadu Rufai | 1859 – 1866 |
| 6 | Aliyu Karami | 1866 – 1867 |
| 7 | Ahmad Atiku | 1867 – 1873 |
| 8 | Abubakar Na Kuru | 1873 – 1877 |
| 9 | Mu’azu | 1877 – 1881 |
| 10 | Umaru bin Ali | 1881 – 1891 |
| 11 | Abderrahman Atiku | 1891 – 1902 |
| 12 | Muhammad Attahiru I | 1902 – 1903 |
| 13 | Muhammad Attahiru II | 1903 – 1915 |
| 14 | Muhammad Maiturare | 1915 – 1924 |
| 15 | Muhammad Tambari | 1924 – 1931 |
| 16 | Hassan dan Mu’azu | 1931 – 1938 |
| 17 | Abubakar Siddique | 1938 – 1953 |
| 18 | Muhammadu Bello | 1953 – 1988 |
| 19 | Ibrahim Dasuki | 1988 – 1996 |
| 20 | Muhammadu Maccido | 1996 – 2006 |
| 21 | Sa’ad Abubakar III | 2006 – Present |
The Legacy of Usman dan Fodio
With the title Amir al-Mu’minin instead of Sultan, Usman dan Fodio founded the dynasty of the Sokoto State and the Fulani Empire, which comprised the Fulbe Jihad states of which Sokoto was its overlord.
Muhammad Bello, a son of Fodio, was the first to take over as Sultan and ruled from the year 1817 to the year 1837. Usman dan Fodio was involved in a war of conquest, the jihad, at the start of the nineteenth century with the intent to reform Islam and go on to form a political system that was based on Sharia law.
During this time, he was also able to expand the boundaries of the Sokoto Caliphate into a sinister Islamic imperialism that reached northern Nigeria and other nearby states.
The system of administration that he established is still very much the pillar of the religious leadership of the Sokoto Caliphate even in these modern times.
The First Sultan Of Sokoto: Muhammed bello
The first Sultan of Sokoto, was born on 3 nov 1781, and ruled between 1817 to 25th oct, 1837. Furthermore, he was a notable historian, poet and writer on the various aspects of islam.
He was the first kalif and the son of Usman dan fodio, the founder of the sokoto caliphate. Assimilating these diverse ideas aided his further efforts to encourage the establishment of Islamic courts, healing centers for both men and women, and the mission of Islam to the region.
As Usman dan Fodio stepped down from leadership in 1817, the weight of leadership came to Muhammadu Bello. His father stepped back from active leadership and settled down to devote himself to learning and education, leaving Bello the responsibilities of governing the huge swathes of the caliphate.
With his ascension, Bello became the very first to serve as the Caliph and Sultan of Sokoto; a position combining which politics and religion were fused in the rapidly growing Islamic kingdom.
Bello received education in scholarly traditions and very early on was already exposed to the world of learning and teachings of Islam.
His father Usman dan Fodio gave him an intense training on matters such as Islamic law, theology, Arabic language and literature, and poetry.
Bello became one of the most important supporters of his father’s jihad: a campaign which called for the pureness of Islam and the introduction of Sharia law in the region.
He was one of the military leaders who fought within the campaigns which bordered the expansion of the Sokoto Caliphate where he also engaged in many battles that prepared him for leadership.
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Current Sultan: Sa’ad Abubakar III (2006 – Present)
Sa’ad Abubakar III from the House of Sultan of Sokoto is the 21st of such title holders. His term has been characterized by attempts to promote inter- religious tolerance, particularly between the Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.
He has also put up active campaigns against religious fanaticism and socio-poverty since he is a lover of peace and wants unity. His leadership still reflects the services, which are essential in the caliphate’s belief; justice, knowledge and co- existence.
Today the Sultan performs several functions; he is a spiritual teacher, supports education and assistance in internal conflict within Nigeria.
