By Dr Balarabe Shehu Kakale
In celebrating the 20th Sultan of Sokoto’s 20 years of transformative leadership of the Ummah, Celebrating Islam, Peacebuilding, National and Global Human Development.
His Eminence, our leader, Sultan Muhammad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Ameerul Mumeenin, Sarkin Musulmi, Lamido Julbe, President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, will attain 20 golden years on November 2, 2026, on the exalted throne of our magnificent forebears. This is a glorious feat of two decades of leading the Muslim Ummah, attained, by the grace of Almighty Allah (SWT), by only two previous Sultans: his father, Sultan Abubakar III, the 17th Sultan of Sokoto (Rahimahullahu) (1938–1988 – 50 years), and his great-great-grandfather, Sultan Muhammadu Bello (Rahimahullahu), the 2nd Ameerul Mumeenin and son of Shehu Usman Fodiyo (1817–1837 – 20 years).
Drawn from the dynastic DNA of his forebears and reflected in his Niya, speeches, actions and interventions, Sultan Muhammad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has had the opportunity of clocking 20 years of eventful and purposeful leadership in Islam, peacebuilding, national development and global human development.
During these 20 glorious and purposeful years, our great leader, Sultan Muhammad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the unifying voice and convening authority of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, has crafted, initiated and delivered the following:
1. Reforms and consolidation of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
2. Leadership, transformation and consolidation of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI).
3. Advancement and promotion of Islamic education, scholarship and research for national and international peace and prosperity.
4. Collaborative leadership of traditional and religious institutions in Nigeria, Africa and the world.
5. Promotion and rapid development of Islamic social finance: Zakat, Waqf, Qard Hasan and Sadaqatu Jariya, and their application in education, health, social services, poverty reduction, environmental protection, job creation, etc.
6. Promotion of traditional Almajiri and alternative education reforms and their formalisation to ensure dignity, inclusion, child welfare and the protection of all children.
7. Promotion of functional and inclusive girl-child education.
8. Promotion of investment in the development of skills-based and functional education.
9. Promotion of primary healthcare, child and maternal health development.
10. Promotion of cordial Muslim-Christian and other interreligious relations in Nigeria, Africa and the world.
11. Research, documentation, conservation, translation and codification of the books and writings of Shehu Usman Dan-Fodiyo and the founders of the Sokoto Caliphate.
12. Digitisation of Sokoto Caliphate literature and information systems. An e-library, with QR codes for the books of Shehu Usmanu Fodiyo and the founders of the Sokoto Caliphate in Arabic, Hausa and English, has been established.
13. Promotion of agriculture, livestock and their value-chain development.
14. Building national, regional, continental and intercontinental bridges of peace, unity, conflict resolution, human rights, social justice and human development.
15. Serving as the exalted timekeeper of key dates in the Islamic Hijrah calendar, with their operationalisation and governance from Muharram and Ramadan through to Dhul Hijjah.
Sokoto Caliphate: An institution founded on KNOWLEDGE, administered by KNOWLEDGE, propelled by KNOWLEDGE and sustained by KNOWLEDGE!
#SultanofSokoto
#13thShehuUsmanDanFodiyoWeek
#SokotoDNA
October 2026.
Dr Balarabe Shehu Kakale is the Wakilin Makaranta Daular Usmaniyya and Barden Tsangayu Da Makarantun Allon Hausa
About The Author
