7 influential traditional rulers in West Africa you should know

His eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV, the Sultan of Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV is a highly influential figure in Nigeria, particularly among the Muslim population. He is the traditional and spiritual leader of the Sokoto Caliphate. He ascended the throne on November 2, 2006, after the death of his predecessor, Muhammadu Maccido, who sadly lost his life in a plane crash. The Sultan of Sokoto is also a member of the Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, which advises the government on matters related to traditional governance and cultural heritage.

He has an impressive educational background. He obtained his primary education at the Palace of Sultan Bello in Sokoto and his secondary education at Barewa College in Zaria. After completing his secondary education, the Sultan of Sokoto attended the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, where he obtained a degree in Military Arts and Science.

He also attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master’s degree in Development Studies. He is widely respected as an authority on Islamic matters and has published several articles and books on Islamic jurisprudence and the history of the Sokoto Caliphate. He is recognized as the spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims, and the Muslim community heavily relies on his judgment. He is frequently asked to advise and counsel political leaders on matters that impact the nation.