What You Should Know About The History of The 16 Emirs Who Have Ruled Kano Since 1805

Five years ago, in May 2019, the traditional Emirship of the Kano Emirate Council was disrupted for the first time in over a century when a new bill, orchestrated by then-Governor of the State Abdullahi Ganduje, was signed into law. The State Emirate Council Law 2019 split Kano Emirate into five and later led to the disposition of Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi.

However, Sanusi made a comeback to the throne on May 23, 2024, following a new law, titled the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment No. 2) Law, 2024, which scrapped the five emirates and led to the removal of Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano.

Bayero and Sanusi are part of a complex family structure whose lineage has ruled Kano for over a century. Bayero is the grandson of Abdullahi Bayero, Emir of Kano between 1926-1953, and the son of Ado Bayero, who became Emir in 1963 and ruled for 51 years until his death in 2014. Sanusi is the nephew of Bayero, as Sanusi’s grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi I, who was Emir between 1953-1963, is late Bayero’s brother.

Speaking after his disposition, Bayero, while still laying claim to the throne, called “on the people to remain law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the legal process in this tussle.”

“Justice is the way to go on every issue. There will be justice. Nobody is above the law. We will accept whatever the law says. I appreciate all the people who have shown concern. As I said, justice will take its course. We will keep on praying for peace in Kano State. May Allah the Almighty protect us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sanusi, accepting his reinstatement as the will of God, as he did when he was removed a decade ago, said that God “preordained the time and cause for everything and everyone.”

“Time will not permit long talks. Whatever we needed to say, we said when we were leaving. We made it clear that God has preordained the time and cause for everything and everyone. He gives leadership to whom He wants and at the time He wants. When He gives, no one can take it away, and when He takes it away, nobody can bring it back,” Sanusi said.

History of Emirship in Kano

As Kano continues to witness the traditional power tussle, the present structure of the Kano Emirate Council, presided by the Emir of Kano, historically the second most important Muslim position in Nigeria after the Sultan of Sokoto, began 121 years ago when the British captured ancient Kano in 1903 in a battle called the Battle of Kano.

However, before then, the Kano Emirate, under the powerful Sokoto Caliphate, which ruled most of Northern Nigeria with 10 Emirates under it, including Ilorin, Gombe, Adamawa, and Katsina, was attacked by the British forces led by Colonel Thomas Morland. After sporadic fighting outside Kano walls, the city fell to the British forces, with Emir Aliyu Babba, the 7th Emir of Kano, who was away in Sokoto, captured and exiled to Lokoja, where he died in 1926.

With the end of the Sokoto Caliphate in 1903, all its 10 Emirates were replaced by other forms of traditional or political systems. The Kano Emirate became the Kano Emirate Council, with the Emir regarded as the Native Authority subordinate only to the supervision of the British Colonial Resident.

However, while seven Emirs ruled Kano from 1805 to 1903 before the Emirate came under the supervision of the British government, a total of 16 Emirs have ruled the Empire.

Here are the 16 Emirs who have ruled Kano:

Suleiman dan Abu Hamma (1805-1819)

Suleiman became the Emir of Kano in 1805 and ruled for 14 years until 1819.

Ibrahim Dabo dan Mamudu (1819-1846)

Regarded as a pious Islamic scholar and one-time student of Emir Suleiman, Dabo was appointed as the Emir of Kano by Muhammadu Bello, the second Caliph of Sokoto, on September 21, 1819. Often credited with establishing several ribats, a network of frontier fortresses and outposts established to defend the Emirate’s borders and propagate Islam, Dabo embarked on policies that aimed to centralise the administration and raise revenue.

He died on February 9, 1846, having ruled for 27 years.

Usman I dan Ibrahim Dabo (1846-1855)

Known for his generosity, Usman, the son of Dabo, took over the Emirship when his father died. He reigned from 1846 to 1855.

Abdullah Maje Karofi dan Ibrahim Dabo (1855-1882)

According to the Kano Chronicles, an Arabic-language manuscript that lists the rulers of Kano, Abdullah, another son of Dabo, was called ‘Abdu Sarkin Yenka’ because he was strong-minded, ruthless, and victorious.

He ruled for 27 years from 1855 until his death in 1882.

Mohammed Bello dan Ibrahim Dabo (1883-1893)

Mohammed Bello, the son of Ibrahim Dabo, ruled from 1883 to 1893.

Mohammed Tukur dan Mohammed Bello (1893- 1895)

When Tukur’s father Bello died in 1893, he was appointed as Emir by the then Caliph, Sultan Abdurrahman. It was believed that Tukur, when he was Galadiman of Kano, saved the Caliph’s life when his forces routed a rebellious Kebbi column at Arugungu. After he was rewarded with the Emirship, the throne was contested, and his reign was faced with multiple civil wars known as The Basasa. On March 16, 1895, Tukur was assassinated by Barde Abdu Nagwangwazo at an encounter at Guri. He was reportedly buried there.

Aliyu Babba dan Abdullahi Maje Karofi (1895-1903)

Aliyu Babba, whose reign began during the Basasa civil war, was the last Emir of Kano under the Sokoto Caliphate’s dominion. Regarded as a good swordsman and a warrior, Babba’s Kano fell into the hands of the British government when they captured the city in 1903. Although he was on a homage visit to Sokoto at the time of the raid, he was later captured and exiled to Yola. He died in 1926.

Muhammad Abbas (1903-1919)

Although little is known about the early life of Muhammad Abbas, he was appointed Emir of Kano by Lord Lugard after the pacification of Northern Nigeria.

It is believed that Abbas led Kanoan forces to surrender to Lugard after the Battle of Kwatarkwashi, and as a reward for his loyalty, he was appointed as Emir of Kano in May 1903. He died in 1919.

Shehu Usman (1919-1926)

After the death of Abbas, Shehu Usman’s younger brother, Usman, who was already a regent, was appointed as Emir by the British government in May 1919.
Shehu Usman, who was the chairman of the Emirate council, initiated many developmental projects during his reign. It was during his time that the first aeroplane landed at Kano Race Course. Prince Edward, then the Prince of Wales, also visited Kano during Usman’s reign. Usman died on April 26, 1926.

Abdullahi Bayero (1926-1953)

Born in 1881, Abdullahi Bayero was appointed Emir of Kano in April 1926 and was formally installed on February 14, 1927.

Known as the first Emir to perform the Hajj, Bayero showed a keen interest in upholding Islamic teachings and education. He was also committed to the development of Kano and would establish the Gwamaja Textile Mills, the first modern textile mill in Nigeria. Bayero ruled for 27 years until his death on December 23, 1953.

Muhammadu Sanusi I (1953-1963)

Muhammadu Sanusi I, the grandfather of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the 14th and 16th Emir of Kano, ascended the throne as Emir in December 1953, a period when Nigerians were beginning to demand independence. Sanusi I was active politically as the agitation for self-governance continued to grow in Nigeria. He was instrumental in the formation of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) in 1949 and brought in both traders and young western-educated elites into the party.

However, as his influence grew, some senior members of the NPC resented it, and an inquiry into the finances of the Kano Native Authority, believed to be masterminded by aggrieved members of the party, was launched against him.

After D. J. M. Muffet, the sole commissioner of Kano, recommended to the regional government that Sanusi I should resign, he tendered his resignation to the Governor of the Northern Region, Kashim Ibrahim, on March 28, 1963.

Muhammadu Inuwa (1963)

Born in 1904, Muhammadu Inuwa became Emir in 1963 after Sanusi I abdicated the throne due to political instability in Kano State at the time. A younger brother to former Emir Abdullahi Bayero, Inuwa, although superficially educated, stood firmly and successfully against regional policies and partisan politics that were tearing Kano apart. While his reign lasted for just six months, Inuwa built a reputation for incorruptibility, accepting no income outside his legitimate earnings.

He died on October 8, 1963.

Ado Bayero (1963-2014)

For more than half a century, Ado Bayero was the Emir of Kano, overseeing the transformation of the Emirates in various facets. During his 51-year reign, Bayero was one of Nigeria’s most influential figures.

As the Emir with the longest reign (1963-2014) since the Jihad of 1804, Bayero propagated the teachings of Islam, commissioning over 150 mosques. His role in fostering education was also notable, actively sensitising the people of Kano to accept free and compulsory primary education introduced by the Federal Government.

The 13th Emir died on Friday, June 6, 2014, and was buried at the Nassarawa royal graveyard alongside four previous Emirs: Abbas, Abdullahi Bayero, Muhammadu Inuwa, and Muhammadu Sunusi.

Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi: 2014-2020, 2024 – Present

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the cherished grandson of Emir Muhammad Sanusi I, ascended the throne in June 2014, four months after he was removed as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by Goodluck Jonathan.

Born on July 31, 1961, Sanusi is regarded as one of Nigeria’s renowned economists. After earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in economics at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, his banking career began at ICON Ltd, one of Nigeria’s oldest merchant banks. When he joined United Bank for Africa, he rose to the position of General Manager before moving to First Bank, where he was appointed Group Managing Director in 2009.

Shortly afterward, in June 2009, the then-President of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, appointed Sanusi governor of the central bank. Sanusi is regarded as one of the country’s CBN governors who transformed Nigeria’s banking sector.

However, in late 2013, Sanusi began to draw attention to the shortfall of oil revenue in Nigeria. He alleged that some oil sales, to the tune of $20 billion, failed to reach the national budget and would submit his findings to the Nigerian senate on February 3, 2014.

As the campaign for reelection intensified, Sanusi’s advocacy highlighted the misappropriation of public funds, damaging Jonathan’s image. On February 20, 2014, Sanusi was removed by Jonathan.

Out of office, an opportunity to become Emir of Kano emerged when Ado Bayero, his granduncle, passed away on June 6, 2014. Two days later, four kingmakers and the then-Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso announced that Sanusi was their choice to succeed Bayero.

However, as with his grandfather, Sanusi was removed as Emir on March 9, 2020, by the then-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Four years later, on May 23, 2024, the governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kwankwaso’s anointed candidate during the 2023 Governorship election in the state, reinstated Sanusi as Emir following the annulment of a 2019 State law that led to his removal and the installation of Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano.

Aminu Ado Bayero: 2020-2024

Born on August 21, 1961, Aminu Ado Bayero ascended the throne on March 9, 2020, following the deposition of Sanusi, his nephew.