Death of Emir of Gumel Sani II end of remarkable, historic era, says Tinubu

By Ayorinde Oluokun

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the transition of the Emir of Gumel, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr Ahmed Muhammad Sani II, CON, as the end of a remarkable and historic era.

The President said this in his reaction to the news of the death of the Emir on Thursday, September 3, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his spokesperson.

The President noted that the late traditional ruler ascended the throne on December 16, 1980, and reigned for nearly 46 years as the 16th Emir of Gumel, thus standing out as one of Nigeria’s longest serving and most respected first-class traditional rulers.

President Tinubu also celebrated the late Emir of Gumel as distinguished scholar, administrator and statesman whose contributions transcended the palace walls.

The President noted that before his ascension, the late Emir had a stellar career in public service, having served with the Gumel Native Authority, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and as a senior official at Kazaure Divisional Office.

Also, between 1978 and 1980 he also served as Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs and Culture in the old Kano State.

As a commissioner, he left an enduring legacy of spearheading the establishment of the Triumph Newspaper, CTV 67 (now ARTV), and supervising the expansion of Radio Kano, institutions that have remained pillars of public information in Northern Nigeria today.

President Tinubu therefore extended his deepest condolences to the immediate family of the revered monarch, the Gumel Emirate Council, the Government and people of Jigawa State, and the entire traditional institution in Nigeria.

“As Emir, Alhaji Sani II transformed Gumel into a model of peace and development.

“He was a father to all, a beacon of wisdom, and a custodian of culture who devoted his long reign to promoting education, Islamic scholarship, unity among diverse communities, and the preservation of the rich heritage of one of the oldest Emirates in Northern Nigeria.

“In the state of Jigawa, his calm, conservative and inclusive leadership provided stability through decades of political and security transitions. He was an unfailing partner for peacebuilding and community development, always placing the welfare of his people above all else.”

“Nigeria has lost a towering traditional leader whose wise counsel will be sorely missed at a time when the nation continues to draw on the moral authority of traditional institutions to strengthen national cohesion.

“I pray that Almighty Allah will forgive the shortcomings of the late Emir, accept his noble deeds, and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

“I also pray that Allah will grant the royal family, the Gumel Emirate and the people of Jigawa State the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” the President said in the statement.