Siddiq Abubakar III
| Siddiq Abubakar III | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1903 |
| Died | 1988 (aged 84–85) |
| Known for | Sultan of Sokoto |
| Children | Sa'adu Abubakar Muhammadu Maccido |
| Parent(s) | Usman Shehu |
Sir Siddiq Abubakar III (1903–1988) was a Nigerian Muslim leader. He served as the sultan of Sokoto between 1938 and 1988.
He was born at Dange, on 15 March 1903, same day on which the British finally subdued the Sokoto Caliphate Son of Usman Shehu, grandson of Mu'azu, direct descendent of Usman Dan Fodio. Abubakar is the fourth heir to the two century-old throne founded by his ancestor, Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio (1754-1817) leader of the Maliki school of Islam and the Qadiri branch of Sufism.
Abubakar had Islamic Education. He held several administrative posts before succeeding his uncle, Hassan Ibn Muazu, at age of 35 1938, he was appointed a local authority councillor of the Sokoto Native Administration (Head of Talata Mafara).
He distinguished himself by his administrative competence and the able way he dealt with appeals from traditional courts and supervised district and village heads. He was a Saurdauna of Sokoto until 17 June 1938, when he became Sultan Abubakar III.
As the 17th Sultan of Sokoto and Sarkin Musulmi, he became the most important Islamic personality south of the Sahara, and highly respected. He was the leader of 50 million adherents of the Islamic faith in West Africa.
Although he did not occupy a visible political position in Nigeria, his de facto political influence was considerable and throughout his life he worked towards the promotion of Nigeria's unity, he used his decisive influence over public affairs for the political and social advancement of Nigeria as one nation.
He contributed a great deal to the maintenance of order and calm among the population of the then Northern Region after the 1966 coup in which Sir Ahmadu Bello was killed. During the Nigerian civil war he helped to mobilise men for the Federal forces.
Abubakar saw the development of his country in a different light from many of his more conservative co-religionists. He encouraged further education for females and voting for women in purdah, and urged the liberation of women in these respects. As a result, the Women Teacher's Training College in Sokoto was founded.
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