Brief History of Suleja Emirate
The Suleja Emirate is a Hausa emirate established in the early 19th century, formerly called Abuja, in what is now Niger State. In 1976 a large part of the emirate plus territory from other states became the Federal Capital Territory, centered on the new city of Abuja. The emirate was renamed Suleja, based on the renamed town of Suleja which remained in Niger State.
Biography of Emir Zazzau
His Royal Highness Mallam Muhammad Awwal Ibrahim is the 8th Emir of suleja, he became the King or Sarki, of Suleja in 1993.
Awwal Ibrahim was born on the 8th of September 1941 in Abuja, present day Suleja. He attended Provincial Secondary School, Bida from 1956 to 1961 and continued further studies at the School for Arabic Studies, Kano. He earned a degree in English from Abdullahi Bayero College in 1967 and a masters in 1970. He joined Ahmadu Bello University in 1967 as a lecturer of languages. From 1967 to 1976, Ibrahim moved up within the administrative ranks, he was acting registrar of Bayero University Kano and Executive Secretary of the Center for Cultural Studies between 1973 and 1975.
When Niger State was created in 1976, his services was transferred to the new state as an administrator. He was initially acting Permanent Secretary for Special Duties before becoming the Permanent Secretary for Local Government.
In 1979, he left civil service to contest for as a candidate for Governor of Niger State under the National Party of Nigeria. Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim won the gubernatorial state election to become the first elected Governor of Niger State.
He served as the Governor of Niger state between October 1979 to December 1983 before he was impeached. He was forced out of office after the coup that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
Awwal Ibrahim became the Emir/King or Sarki, of Suleja in 1993. He was deposed on 10 May 1994 by General Sani Abacha. After the return to democracy, Awwal Ibrahim was restored to his title of Emir of Suleja on 17 January 2000.
He was the Pro-Chancellor of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University, Lapai.
In September 2001, Ibrahim was awarded the title of Commander of the Niger (CON). In 2010 he was chairman of the Niger State government’s Committee on Reformation of Almajirci.
30th Anniversary of Emir of Zazzau
October 2023 HRH Mallam Muhammadu Awwal Ibrahim celebrated 30 years anniversary on throne. An occasion that was graced by various dignitaries including Niger state governor Hon. Muhammad Umaru Bago, Deputy Governor Niger state, Former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu and many more.
