President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Dr Ahmed Muhammad Sani II, praising his remarkable 46-year reign and contributions to peace, education and development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the death of the Emir of Gumel, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr Ahmed Muhammad Sani II, CON, who died on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt.
President Tinubu conveyed his condolences to the late monarch’s immediate family, the Gumel Emirate Council, the Government and people of Jigawa State, as well as Nigeria’s traditional institution.
The President described the death of the Emir as the end of a remarkable era, noting that Alhaji Sani II ascended the throne on December 16, 1980, and reigned for nearly 46 years as the 16th Emir of Gumel.
Tinubu said the monarch stood out as one of Nigeria’s longest-serving and most respected first-class traditional rulers, whose influence extended beyond the traditional institution.
The President also commended the late Emir’s contributions to public service before his ascension to the throne. He served with the Gumel Native Authority, the Nigeria Immigration Service and as a senior official at the Kazaure Divisional Office.
Between 1978 and 1980, Sani II served as Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs and Culture in the old Kano State.
During his tenure as commissioner, he played a role in the establishment of The Triumph Newspaper, the creation of CTV 67, now ARTV, and the expansion of Radio Kano, institutions that became important platforms for public information in Northern Nigeria.
President Tinubu described the late monarch as a distinguished scholar, administrator and statesman whose contributions to society went beyond the palace.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President further praised the late monarch’s leadership in Jigawa State, describing his approach as calm, conservative and inclusive.
According to Tinubu, the Emir provided stability through decades of political and security transitions and remained an important partner in peace-building and community development.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu prayed for the repose of the late Emir’s soul, asking Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
He also prayed for strength and fortitude for the royal family, the Gumel Emirate and the people of Jigawa State to bear the loss.
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