The Emirs of Kano are the traditional rulers of the Kano Emirate, a historical and cultural center in northern Nigeria. However, the emirate was established in the 10th century and has been ruled by a long line of emirs. This guide provides a list of all the Emirs of Kano State from 1807 till the present day:
| No. | Emir | Reign |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sulaimanu | 1807 – 1819 |
| 2 | Ibrahim Dabo | 1819 – 1846 |
| 3 | Usman Maje Ringim | 1846 – 1855 |
| 4 | Abdullahi Maje Karofi | 1855 – 1882 |
| 5 | Muhammadu Bello | 1882 – 1893 |
| 6 | Muhammadu Tukur | 1893 – 1894 |
| 7 | Alu (Aliyu Babba) | 1894 – 1903 |
| 8 | Muhammadu Abbas | 1903 – 1919 |
| 9 | Shehu Usman | 1919 – 1926 |
| 10 | Abdullahi Bayero | 1926 – 1953 |
| 11 | Muhammadu Sanusi I | 1953 – 1963 |
| 12 | Muhammadu Inuwa | 1963 |
| 13 | Ado Bayero | 1963 – 2014 |
| 14 | Muhammadu Sanusi II | 2014 – 2020 |
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Who Was The First Emir Of Kano State?
The first Emir of Kano was Sulaimanu (or Suleiman), who took the throne in 1807 after the Fulani Jihad in the region.
Before Sulaimanu became Emir, Kano had a long history of rulers called “Sarkin Kano.” But the Fulani Jihad, led by Usman dan Fodio, changed the political landscape.
When Sulaiman became the Emir, the traditional system of Sarkin Kano ended, and the title “Emir of Kano” was established.
When Sulaimanu first came to power, the Fulani people did not allow him to enter the official palace, called the Giddan Rumfa.
They felt that entering the palace would connect them too much with the old ways of the Hausa rulers. Sulaimanu had to ask for support from Shehu Usman dan Fodio, the leader of the Fulani Jihad.
Sulaimanu entered the palace with his blessing and began his rule as Emir of Kano. During his time as Emir, Sulaimanu faced many challenges, including revolts from different groups.
One notable event was the conflict with Dabo Dan Bazzo, a man from the Danbazzawa family, who tried to marry a woman from Sokoto without Sulaimanu’s approval.
This led to a brief conflict, but it was eventually settled with the help of Shehu Usman dan Fodio. Sulaimanu’s reign lasted until 1819, and after his death, Ibrahim Dabo succeeded him as the Emir of Kano.
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Who Is The 13th Emir Of Kano?
The 13th Emir of Kano was Ado Bayero. He became Emir on October 22, 1963, after the death of Emir Muhammadu Inuwa.
As the 13th Fulani Emir, Ado Bayero came from a royal family that had been ruling Kano since the early 1800s. However, his reign lasted for over 50 years, making him the longest-serving Emir in Kano’s history.
Before becoming Emir, Ado Bayero worked in different positions. He started his education in Islamic studies in Kano and later worked as a bank clerk and a police chief for the Kano Native Authority.
He also had a brief political career, serving in the Northern People’s Congress, and later became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Senegal from 1962 until he was appointed Emir.
Ado Bayero’s time as Emir saw Kano go through significant political and social changes. He was known for maintaining peace and stability, especially during periods of unrest in northern Nigeria.
Over the years, the military governments reduced the powers of traditional rulers, including Ado Bayero, but he remained a respected figure.
He was also a critic of the Boko Haram terrorist group and survived an assassination attempt in 2013. Ado Bayero passed away on June 6, 2014.
His death led to a struggle over who would succeed him, but his nephew, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, eventually became the new Emir of Kano.
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Who Is The Current Emir Of Kano?
The current Emir of Kano State is Muhammadu Sanusi II, also known as Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. He was first appointed as the Emir on June 8, 2014, following the death of his great-uncle, Ado Bayero.
Sanusi’s reign was seen by efforts to modernize and reform cultural practices in Northern Nigeria. He was a prominent traditional and religious leader and also served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, where he implemented major banking reforms.
However, his tenure as Emir came to an abrupt end on March 9, 2020, when he was dethroned by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
This decision was surrounded by controversy and allegations of political interference. Following his removal, Sanusi was placed under house arrest and later exiled. After four years, Sanusi was reinstated as Emir on May 23, 2024, by the current Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
This reinstatement dissolved the five emirate councils that had been created during Ganduje’s administration, effectively restoring the traditional Kano Emirate structure.