Emir of Gumel Dies at 84

Emir of Gumel Dies at 84

One of the longest serving traditional rulers in Nigeria, the Emir of Gumel in Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani II has died after about 46 years on the throne.

The Emir, who died on Thursday at the age of 84 in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, marked the 45th anniversary of his coronation as the 16th Emir of Gumel in December 2025.

The late Emir was a Commissioner in the second republic government of Abubakar Rimi, the governor of old Kano state.

The first class Emir received his primary education at Gumel Primary School from 1948 to 1953. He then attended Hadejia Middle School from 1953 to 1956. For his secondary education, he went to Kano High School in Rumfa College, graduating in 1961.

Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani II studied at the Institute of Administration in Zaria, now part of Ahmadu Bello University, where he earned a diploma in Public Administration in 1963 and returned for a Higher Diploma in the same field in 1970. In 1972, he obtained a first degree in Political Science and a Masters degree in International Relations at Ohio University, completing his studies in 1978.

Before joining politics, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani II worked with the Gumel Native Authority from 1961 to 1963. In 1964, he joined the immigration department and was stationed in Ngamboru Ngala in Borno State. His career progressed further in 1972 when he was appointed a senior government official at the Kazaure Divisional office.

He joined politics in 1978 and contested for Senate under the Great Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP), but was not successful. However, a subsequent coalition between the GNPP and the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) led to his appointment as Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, and Culture, Kano State.

During his tenure as Commissioner  from 1978 to 1980, he played a key role in the establishment of the Triumph newspaper and CTV67 television station, and oversaw the expansion of Radio Kano.

His political career was unexpectedly cut short when his father, the reigning emir of Gumel, died on December 13, 1980. On December 16, 1980, the young Ahmad Muhammad Sani was selected to succeed his late father, assuming the role of Emir of Gumel.