Sultan of Sokoto Mourns Emir of Gumel, Hails 46 Years of Service
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has expressed profound grief over the death of the Emir of Gumel in Jigawa State, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Muhammad Sani II, CON.
The late Emir died on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, after a distinguished 46-year reign. He ascended the ancient throne of Gumel on December 16, 1980.
In a condolence message signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Sultan’s Media Team and issued on Friday, September 4, the Sultan described the late Emir as a distinguished scholar, a man of wisdom and a father figure whose death was a great loss to the Gumel Emirate, Jigawa State, the traditional institution and the Muslim Ummah.
The Sultan extended his condolences to the late Emir’s immediate family, the Gumel Emirate Council, the Jigawa State Government and people, the Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Muslims across the country.
According to him, the late Emir devoted his life to serving his people, promoting peace and education, and preserving the cultural and traditional values of the Gumel Emirate.
He said the late monarch carried the responsibilities of the throne with dignity, humility and unwavering commitment, adding that his 46 years on the throne represented a remarkable chapter in the history of the emirate.
The Sultan said the traditional institution would greatly miss the late Emir’s wisdom, counsel, fatherly disposition and contributions to peace, unity and community development.
He urged the people of Gumel Emirate and Jigawa State to remain steadfast in faith and prayer while upholding the values of peace, unity, dignity and service to humanity associated with the late Emir.
The Sultan also prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, accept his good deeds, reward his years of service to humanity and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
He further prayed for divine comfort, strength and fortitude for the late Emir’s family, the Gumel Emirate Council, the people of Jigawa State and the entire Muslim Ummah to bear the loss.
“May Allah SWT illuminate his grave, make it spacious and peaceful, and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus,” the Sultan prayed.
