The Agaie Emirate was a state created by Malam Baba, a
Fulani
The Fula, Fulani, or Fulɓe people ( ff, Fulɓe, ; french: Peul, links=no; ha, Fulani or Hilani; pt, Fula, links=no; wo, Pël; bm, Fulaw) are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Sahel and West Africa, widely dispersed across the region. ...
warrior who conquered the
Nupe people
The Nupe (traditionally called the ''Nupawa'' by the Hausas and ''Tapa'' by the neighbouring Yoruba) are an ethnic group native to the Middle Belt of Nigeria. They are the dominant ethnic group in Niger State and a minority in Kwara State. The ...
of the area in 1822.
Its seat was the present town of
Agaie in
Niger State
Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria and the largest state in the country. Niger state has three political zones, zone A,B and C. The state's capital is at Minna. Other major cities are Bida, Kontagora and Suleja. It was fo ...
,
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
, and was subject to the
Sokoto Caliphate
The Sokoto Caliphate (), also known as the Fulani Empire or the Sultanate of Sokoto, was a Sunni Muslim caliphate in West Africa. It was founded by Usman dan Fodio in 1804 during the Fulani jihads after defeating the Hausa Kingdoms in the Ful ...
.
Baba's son Abdullahi was inaugurated as the first emir of Agaie in 1832.
The Agaie Emirate comprised one part of the old
Nupe Kingdom
The Bida Emirate is a traditional state in Nigeria, a successor to the old Nupe Kingdom, with its headquarters in Bida, Niger State. The head of the state is the Etsu Nupe, considered the leader of the Nupe people.
History
The old Nupe Kingdo ...
, the others being the
Bida Emirate
The Bida Emirate is a traditional state in Nigeria, a successor to the old Nupe Kingdom, with its headquarters in Bida, Niger State. The head of the state is the Etsu Nupe, considered the leader of the Nupe people.
History
The old Nupe Kingdom ...
and the
Lapai Emirate
The Lapai Emirate, today in Nigeria, is a traditional state that lies near the Gurara River, a tributary to the Niger River, formerly originally inhabited where Gbari People, and presently came under the power of Nupe people, covering roughly the s ...
.
Early rulers
The rulers were of the Etsu dynasty, with inheritance sometimes from father to son, sometimes from one brother to another.
*Etsu Abdullai I (1832–1855), the first Emir, was succeeded by his son Mamman-Dikko.
*Mamman-Dikko (1855–1877) joined with the Emirs of Bida and Lapai on further military conquests, although falling out with them and engaging in skirmishes over land.
*Etsu Nuhu (1877–1900) allied with the Emir of Bida in fighting the British
Niger company
The Royal Niger Company was a mercantile company chartered by the British government in the nineteenth century. It was formed in 1879 as the ''United African Company '' and renamed to ''National African Company'' in 1881 and to ''Royal Niger Co ...
, which was expanding into Fulani territory.
Colonial period rulers
*Etsu Abubakar I (1900–1919) avoided further fighting and accepted British rule, retaining his position under the new rulers.
*Etsu Abubakar II (1919–1926) was responsible for moving the Divisional Office from
Baro to Agaie in 1920, and for opening the Agaie market.
*Etsu Abdullahi II (1926–1936) gained considerable power and wealth during his period of rule, including a collection of gold animals.
*Etsu Alhaji Aliyu (1936–1953) attended provincial school in
Kano
Kano may refer to:
Places
*Kano State, a state in Northern Nigeria
* Kano (city), a city in Nigeria, and the capital of Kano State
**Kingdom of Kano, a Hausa kingdom between the 10th and 14th centuries
**Sultanate of Kano, a Hausa kingdom between ...
, and was supervisor of the village heads of the Agaie Emirate before becoming Emir. In 1950 he became the first Emir to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca travelling by air.
Post independence rulers
After independence, the rulers came increasingly under the control of the civilian or military government.
[
*Etsu Alhaji Muhammadu Bello (1953–1989) was elected by the Agaie Native Authority in 1953. During his extended rule Nigeria gained independence, and the emirate saw developments such as the opening of secondary schools and health centers.
*Etsu Muhammadu Attahiru (1989–1994) was installed by the military governor Colonel ]Lawan Gwadabe
Lawan Gwadabe (born 1949) is a Nigerian military officer, he was Military Administrator of Niger State in Nigeria from December 1987 to January 1992 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Gwadabe was one of the few men in the a ...
, but later dethroned by the military governor Colonel Cletus Emein due to allegations (later disproved) of involvement in the murder of the chairman of the Agaie Local Government. He was not immediately replaced.
*Etsu Abubakar III (1996–1998) was appointed in 1996, but engaged throughout his term in legal battles with his predecessor. After his death, the office was again not filled immediately due to the ongoing legal challenges by Etsu Muhammadu Attahiru.
*Etsu Muhammadu Attahiru (1999–2003) was eventually restored. During his second term he started to rebuild the Etsu Nuhu mosque.
*Etsu Muhammadu Kudu Abubakar (2004 – 2014) was appointed on the death of Etsu Muhammadu Attahiru.
*Etsu Alhaji Yussuf Nuhu (since 2014)
References
{{Nigerian traditional states
States and territories established in 1832
Sokoto Caliphate
Niger State
19th century in Africa
Nigerian traditional states
Emirates
1832 establishments in Africa