By Asaye Bankole
President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the occasion of his 20th anniversary on the throne, acknowledging his contributions to religious harmony, national unity and peacebuilding.
The President described the monarch as an influential traditional leader whose interventions and counsel have continued to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen relationships among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities.
Tinubu, in a congratulatory message personally signed on Monday, November 2, praised the Sultan for providing purposeful leadership since his emergence as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto in 2006.
He said the monarch had used his position to preserve the heritage of the Sokoto Caliphate while making the traditional institution relevant to contemporary challenges facing the country.
According to the President, the Sultan’s influence extends beyond the traditional institution, particularly through his efforts to encourage understanding among religious groups and provide guidance to political leaders.
Tinubu also highlighted the monarch’s contributions as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
He noted that the Sultan had consistently encouraged Christians and Muslims to embrace dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The President further acknowledged his involvement in peace initiatives across northern Nigeria and the Sahel, alongside his advocacy for the education of girls, support for farmers and assistance to disadvantaged members of society.
Tinubu expressed appreciation for the Sultan’s personal friendship, prayers and political counsel, describing his advice as patriotic and guided by the best interests of Nigeria.
He prayed for continued strength, good health and wisdom for the monarch, expressing hope that his reign would continue to contribute to peace in Sokoto and national stability.
Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III ascended the throne on November 2, 2006, following the death of his predecessor, Sultan Muhammadu Maccido, who died in the ADC Airlines Flight 053 crash on October 29, 2006.
The aircraft crashed near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, killing 96 of the 105 people on board, including the former Sultan, who was 78 years old.
Before becoming Sultan, Abubakar had a distinguished military career. He graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and joined the Nigerian Army as a commissioned officer in 1974.
He served in several command and staff positions within Nigeria and participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations abroad before retiring in December 2006 with the rank of Brigadier-General.
Since becoming Sultan, he has played important roles in efforts to address security and communal challenges, including farmer-herder disputes, the Boko Haram insurgency and religious tensions across different parts of the country.
His position as President-General of the NSCIA makes him a leading figure in Nigeria’s Islamic community, while his role in NIREC has strengthened his involvement in interfaith engagement.
The monarch has also consistently advocated improved access to education for girls, particularly in northern Nigeria, where cultural and social barriers have historically affected female education.
The Sokoto Caliphate was founded in 1804 by Islamic reformer Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio following a jihad that transformed the political and religious landscape of several Hausa states in present-day northern Nigeria.
The Sultanate remains one of Africa’s most influential traditional Islamic institutions, with the Sultan exercising considerable spiritual and traditional influence among Muslims across Nigeria.
His 20 years on the throne represent a significant period in the history of the Sokoto traditional institution and his contributions to religious dialogue, peacebuilding and national development.
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