Emir of Gumel, Ahmed Muhammad Sani, dies at 85 after 46-year reign

The Emir of Gumel in Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad Sani, has died at the age of 85 after 46 years on the throne.

The monarch reportedly died on Thursday afternoon at a hospital in Egypt, according to an official statement announcing his death.

His death comes four days after the passing of the Emir of Zurmi in Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Suleiman, who died on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau.

Early life and education

Born into the ruling family of Gumel, the late monarch began his early education at Gumel Primary School, where he studied between 1948 and 1953.

He subsequently attended Hadejia Middle School from 1953 to 1956 before completing his secondary education at Rumfa College, formerly Kano High School, in 1961.

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He proceeded to the Institute of Administration in Zaria, now part of Ahmadu Bello University, where he obtained a Diploma in Public Administration in 1963 and a Higher Diploma in 1970.

He later travelled to the United States, where he studied at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a postgraduate degree in International Relations between 1972 and 1978.

Public service and political career

The late monarch began his working career with the Gumel Native Authority between 1961 and 1963.

In 1964, he joined the Nigeria Immigration Service and was posted to Gamboru Ngala in present-day Borno State.

He later moved into public administration and, in 1972, served as a senior government official at the Kazaure Divisional Office.

In 1978, Muhammad Sani contested for a Senate seat on the platform of the Great Nigeria People’s Party but was unsuccessful.

However, following a political alliance between the GNPP and the People’s Redemption Party, he was appointed Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs and Culture in the old Kano State.

He served as commissioner between 1978 and 1980, during which he was involved in several developments in the state’s media sector.

Among the major initiatives associated with his tenure were the establishment of The Triumph newspaper and CTV67 television station, now known as ARTV, as well as the expansion of Radio Kano.

Ascension to the throne

His political career was cut short following the death of his father, the then-reigning Emir of Gumel, on December 13, 1980.

Just three days later, on December 16, 1980, Muhammad-Sani was selected to succeed his father.

He subsequently ascended the traditional stool as the Emir of Gumel in the then old Kano State, beginning what would become a 46-year reign.

His death marks the end of one of the longest traditional reigns in contemporary northern Nigeria and is expected to prompt tributes from political leaders, traditional institutions and residents of Gumel and beyond.