Brief Biography of Mallam Muhammadu Sambo Wali

(a School Teacher, a Historian, and a Hausa Poet)

By

ALMUSTAPHA SAMBO WALI, PhD.

Muhammadu Sambo Wali was born in Sokoto city on Friday, August 9, 1937, which corresponds to Rabi'u-Thani 30, 1356 AH. His father's name was Muhammadu Salisu, and his mother's name was A'ishatu. He was of Gimbanawa descent on his father's lineage and Fulani on his mother's side. He grew up in a household known for the importance of education and history, especially knowledge of lineage and ancestry. He was the son of Muhammadu Salisu, who was the son of Malam Yahya. Malam Yahaya was the son of Ahmadu, popularly known as Ladan Ɗanhajara. Ahmadu was the son of Alkali of Zamfara, Muhammadu. Muhammadu was the son of Malam Abdussalami Bagimbane[1] (a disciple of Shehu Usmanu Ɗanfodiyo). Abdussalami was the son of Malam Ibrahim. Malam Ibrahim was the son of Malam Shaharu (also known as Mallam Jaɓɓo Maigida Marannu). Malam Shaharu was the son of Mallam Hammadi Mai Babban Burgami, through whom the Gobirawa conquered Alkalawa city[2].

On his mother's lineage, he was Fulani, as previously stated. His mother, A'ishatu, was the daughter of Marafan Wazirin Sokoto, Mallam Buhari, popularly known as Marafa Tsoho. Marafa Tsoho was the son of Waziri Sambo[3] (Ambo). Waziri Sambo was the son of Ɗangaladima Ahmadu. Ɗangaladima Ahmadu was the son of Waziri Usman Giɗaɗo[4] (a disciple and son-in-law of Shehu) and Nana Asma'u. Waziri Giɗaɗo was the son of Lema. Nana Asma'u was the daughter of Shehu Usman. Usman was the son of Fodiyo. Fodiyo was the son of Usmanu. Usmanu was the son of Salihu. Salihu was the son of Haruna. Haruna was the son of Muhammadu Gurɗo. Muhammadu Gurɗo was the son of Jaɓɓo. Jaɓɓo was the son of Sambo. Sambo was the son of Buba Baba. Buba Baba was the son of Baba Masarana. Baba Masarana was the son of Ayyuba. Ayyuba was the son of Musa Jakollo. Musa Jakollo was from Futa-Toro[5].

Sambo Wali received his early education from his father. As he narrated:

"When I was about six years old, my father voluntarily retired from his judicial work. It wasn't because he was asked to leave. When I was about ten years old, a young District Officer (D.O.)[6] in Sokoto named Mr. Skinner[7] employed my father for historical research tours and paid him a salary. My father also taught him Hausa. During this time, my father always traveled with me because my mother had passed away. Wherever they went, I went with them. Therefore, I studied the Quran and the books of Lahallari and Ishimawi with my father. In short, my father taught me Roman script writing and arithmetic. It wasn't until 1955, when I was 18 years old, that he stopped traveling with me, and I settled in Sokoto."

Sambo Wali continued his religious studies with other teachers such as Malam Yahya Nawawi, Alkalin Lardi, Malam Joɗi, Malam Maigandi Giɗaɗawa, Malam Babi Unguwar Dutsin Assada, Malam Sagware of Unguwar Alkanci, Malam Shayau of Kuci town, and Waziri Junaidu, all within present-day Sokoto State. He often recalled the advice these teachers gave him and affirmed that they provided him with an excellent upbringing. May Allah reward them with goodness and grant them His mercy.

Formal Education and Career

Regarding his formal education, he was not left behind. He started primary school at 'Waziri Ward' school in 1945. In 1963, the 'Arabic Teachers' College,' now known as 'Abubakar Gummi Memorial Secondary School,' was opened, and he was among its students. There, he obtained a Grade III certificate. Later, he also obtained a Grade II certificate from the same school. From there, he went to the 'School for Arabic Studies' in Kano, where he undertook a vocational course.

Sambo Wali began his teaching career at 'Government Craft School' in Sokoto on September 15, 1959. He continued teaching in various schools until 1978. In that year, the Federal Government requested him to switch from teaching to journalism in the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)[8] in Sokoto. He accepted the government's call and began working at the Federal Radio Corporation, Sokoto State chapter (Rima Radio[9]), from 1978 until 1985. He served as the head of the radio's religious affairs department.

Contributions to Research and Public Awareness

His intelligence and diligence led the then Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, late Professor Mahadi Adamu Ngaski, to invite him to work at the university. He accepted, leaving journalism to return to his former profession of teaching and research. He started working at the university in 1985 at the Centre for Islamic Studies[10] until 1996 as a researcher and lecturer in Islamic studies. After this period, he retired from government service. However, Rima Radio again requested him to work for them on a part-time basis, specifically on an awareness program called 'Zauren Mai Anguwa.' This program continued with his involvement from 1996 until 2015[11]. In this program, he was affectionately called 'Mallam Maiƙunƙuwa.'

Sambo Wali served as a representative for various government bodies and organizations for national, community, and language development. He was a member of the Sokoto State Traditional Culture Promotion Committee established by the state government under the Sokoto State Ministry of Traditional Culture in 1976. He also served as one of the representatives appointed by the Sokoto State government to the committee for providing accommodation for Almajiris and disabled individuals in 1979. He was a member of the National Association of Hausa Poets and Literary Scholars and also served as its Sokoto State chairman. He achieved significant success in Hausa poetry competitions and received numerous awards for public enlightenment at state, national, and non-governmental levels.

Poetic and Historical Prowess

Allah blessed Sambo Wali with the gift of writing, particularly artistic and wise writing. He wrote and recited Hausa poems (and also Fulani ones). Furthermore, he wrote extensively on history, especially that of the Sokoto Caliphate and its lineages, and shared this knowledge with the public. He started composing poetry at the age of eleven. His first poem was about the 'bullying and gossip' he experienced from his childhood playmates because he was with them, but they were not his peers. However, he did not name the poem, and it lacked a consistent meter or rhyme. His second poem was 'Challenge to Critics of Chewing Tobacco (Taba-gari)'[12], addressing the strict prohibition of chewing tobacco (which is placed under the lip) by some people. In the poem, he described his encounters with some individuals, especially those from Wazifan Jega and Ƙauran-Namoda.

Quantifying the poems of any poet or songwriter is extremely difficult. Even the poets themselves can hardly specify all the poems they composed in their lifetime; it's usually an estimation. Therefore, Sambo Wali himself did not know the exact number of poems he wrote. He confirmed that he wrote many poems on various aspects of community life. The poems he wrote most frequently were those aimed at raising public awareness about ongoing issues. He also wrote poems of praise, advice, sermons, politics, warnings, expressions of desire, and advertisements. State or federal governments or non-governmental organizations would often request Muhammadu Sambo Wali to write a poem for them (and recite it on media outlets or at gatherings) on any resolution or policy they wished to convey to the public.

Sambo Wali did not stop at poetry alone. He was also a historian, particularly of the Sokoto Caliphate and the kingdoms of Kebbi and Gobir. He wrote numerous historical works concerning these kingdoms and empires. He used his historical knowledge to reclaim the right of the District Head (Hakimi) of Jandutsi (a town in Jega, Kebbi State) to his chieftaincy, which was almost diverted to another person. He went before the Emir of Gwandu[13] (who had the authority to appoint the District Head) and stood before him like a lawyer before a judge. He presented the history of the chieftaincy of the town and those who inherited it from their ancestors. He succeeded in this struggle by using the historical knowledge that Allah had bestowed upon him. He was also invited to the Republic of Niger to inform the Zarmas about their history concerning their arrival in Niger.

Legacy and Influence

In summary, Muhammadu Sambo Wali was a prominent figure, especially in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara. He was also a school teacher, a Hausa poet, and a historian. His prominence in these regions made him well-known. It would be difficult to ask someone, especially a radio listener, "Who is Sambo Wali?" and for them not to know. Similarly, it would be hard to go to universities and colleges in Northern Nigeria, especially in departments of Nigerian Languages or Hausa Language Studies, and ask about Sambo Wali without receiving an explanation of who he was. This is because numerous undergraduate and postgraduate theses (B.A and M.A.), NCE projects, and conference papers[14] have been written about the poems of this renowned Hausa poet. Furthermore, many history students sought his knowledge of history. It was not only degree or NCE students who benefited from his God-given talent, but also the teaching staff who learned and continue to learn from his gift. They have written books commenting on his poems, highlighting the artistic techniques and knowledge contained within them, and the historical information they gleaned from him.

He contributed to various aspects of Hausa community life. In terms of language, he contributed to its spread and revitalization, as writing poetry in a language is one of the ways to keep it alive. He also contributed to the development and revitalization of Hausa literature, as poetry is a significant genre in Hausa literature. It also highlights community customs and how their social life should be. Therefore, it can be said that he played a role in stabilizing the social life of the Hausa community. He also helped Hausa people, and even non-Hausa speakers, understand the history of Hausa lands, cultures, and past social interactions.

Family and Passing

Finally, Sambo Wali was married, starting his first marriage in 1964. Before his demise, he had two wives (Hauwa'u and Lubabatu). From the time he got married until his passing, Allah blessed him with both male and female children. Here is a list of his children:

Male Children:

1.     Dr. Abduljalil (Alhaji)

2.     Ibrahim Khalil (deceased)

3.     Abubakar Sadiƙ (deceased)

4.     Junaidu (Nakuci)

5.     Muhammadu Bello

6.     Barrister Muhammadu Lema

7.     Dr. Muhammadu Mustapha

8.     Ja’afarus Sadiƙ

9.     Harun Arrashid

Female Children:

10. A’ishatu (diyar ‘Yan Mamma)

11. Asma’u (Jamila)

12. Labratu (deceased)

13. Hajaru

14. Khadijatu

15. Fatimatu

16. Zainabu

17. Ruƙayyatu

18. Hafsatu

19. Halimatus Sa’adiyya (deceased).

 

In total, Allah blessed Muhammadu Sambo Wali with nineteen children, but four (Ibrahim, Abubakar, Labratu, Halimatus Sa'adiyya[15]) have passed away. Fifteen of his children are currently alive.

Demise

Mallam Sambo Wali passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, corresponding to Dhul-Hijjah 29, 1446 AH, after battling an illness for approximately ten years. Despite this illness and old age, Allah did not allow his intellect and memory to diminish. Even in this state of old age and illness, people would visit him to seek historical knowledge and for him to recall many things they could not remember.

May Allah reward him with goodness, forgive him, and make Paradise his final abode. Amen[16].

Some Works of Mallam Muhammadu Sambo Wali

20th Century Poems (20th C.)

1. Religious Poems

●      Tauhidi Nazari (Describing Oneness of Allah)

●      Roƙon Allah (Plea to Allah)

●      Yabon Annabi (SAW) (Praise of the Prophet SAW)

●      Addu’a (Prayer)

2. Historical Poems

●      Tarihin Hijirar Shehu Da Kafa Daular Usmaniyya (History of Shehu's Migration and the Establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate)

●      Waƙar L.G.R. 1975 (L.G.R. Song 1975)

3. Awareness Poems

●      Waƙar IFAD (IFAD Song)

●      Amfanin Shukka Itace (bishiyoyi) (The Benefit of Planting Trees)

●      Gasar Noma (Farming Competition Song)

●      Tahamisin ‘Gona da Mallan’ (Takhmis of 'Farm and Scholar' Song)

●      Lafiya Uwar Jiki (The Benefits of Health)

●      Matakan Kirkin Jiharmu (The Virtue of Our State)

●      Na Fara Kiran Ku ‘Yan Yara (O Children, Be Good Ones)

4. Warning Poems

●      Gargaɗi (Warning)

●      Gargaɗi Kan Gurgusowar Hamada Da Zaizayar Ƙasa (Warning on Desertification and Soil Erosion)

●      Gaskiya Mugunyar Magana (Truth is Bitter)

●      To Da Ke Nike (It's All About You)

●      Shaye-Shaye Aibi Na (Addiction is a Flaw)

5. Enlightenment Poems

●      Ku Bar Zaman Banza Da Barace-Barace (Stop Idleness and Begging)

●      Shirin Zamani (Tahamisi) (Modern Preparation (Takhmisi))

●      Kishin Ƙasa (Nationalism)

●      Yaƙi da Jahilci (War on Ignorance)

6. Political Poems

●      Gidauniyar Jihar Sakkwato (Sokoto State Foundation)

7. Praise Poems

●      Jamborodo (Takhmisi)

8. Love Poems

●      ‘Yarkiɗi

9. Advertisement Poems

●      Waƙar Omo (Omo Song)

●      Waƙar King Cola (King Cola Song)

●      Kamfanin Westek (Westek Company)

●      Kamfanin Haji Yaro Boɗinga (Haji Yaro Boɗinga Company)

10. Entertainment Poems

●      Naira Alfarmar Zamani (Naira, The Privilege of the Era)

11. Other Poems

●      Tsangwama da Gunaguni (Bullying and Grumbling)

●      Ƙalubale Ga Masu Sukar Shan Taba-gari (Challenge to Critics of Chewing Tobacco)


21st Century Poems (21st C.)

1. Historical Poems

●      Tarihin Masarautar Gwandu Ta Gidan Hassan Ɗan Abdullahi (History of Gwandu Emirate of the House of Hassan Ɗan Abdullahi)

●      Bin Shari’a Da Adalci Su Ne Kayan Adon Masarautar Gwandu (Adhering to Sharia and Justice are the Ornaments of Gwandu Emirate)

●      Tarihin Zabarmawa Da Ƙasarsu Ta Asali Da Sunan Kakansu (History of the Zarmas, Their Original Land, and Their Ancestor's Name)

●      Gudummuwar San’inna Gari-Hanaye Ga Jihadin Shehu (Contribution of San’inna Gari-Hanaye to Shehu's Jihad)

●      Tunawa Da Ayyukan Maimartaba Sarkin Argungu Muhammadu Mera (Remembering the Deeds of His Royal Highness Emir of Argungu Muhammadu Mera)

2. Awareness Poems

●      Shan’inna (Polio)

●      Bunƙasa Ayyukan Noman Fadama (Boosting Fadama Farming Activities)

●      Kula da Lafiyar Mata Da Ƙananan Yara (Care for the Health of Women and Young Children)

●      Cika Alƙawali Aikinka Na (Fulfilling Promises is Your Habit)

3. Enlightenment Poems

●      Mu Jajirce Ga Aikin Gayya (Let Us Persevere in Communal Work)

●      Ku Tashi Da Himma Maza Zuwa Aikin Gayya (Rise with Zeal, Men, Towards Communal Work)

●      Zaman Lafiya (Peace)

4. Political Poems

●      Ranar ‘Yancin Nijeriya (Nigeria's Independence Day)

●      Taya Sarkin Yamma Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko Murnar Zama Gwamnan Sakkwato (Congratulating Sarkin Yamma Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko on Becoming Governor of Sokoto)

●      Albishirin Matafiya Gwamnatin Sarkin Yamman Daular Usmaniyya (Good News for the Fellows of the Government of the Sarkin Yamma of the Caliphate)

●      Nasarorin Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Achievements of Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko)

●      Ba A Taɓin Maza Su Koma Su Yi Kwance (Men Don't Back Down and Lie Down)

●      Ga Ƙasa Samun Abin Ƙwarai Dace Na ta Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (For the Land to Gain Something Good is Fortunate, Song for Aminu Waziri Tambuwal)

5. Praise Poems

●      Du’a’i Ga Mai’alfarma Sarkin Musulmi Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar Na’ukku (Prayer for His Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III)

●      ‘Zauren Waƙa’ Muhimmi Na (The Journal Zauren Waƙa is Important)

●      Manufofin Hassan Kangiwa (Good Intention of Hassan Kangiwa)

Historical Writings of Mallam Muhammadu Sambo Wali

1.     Shigowar Fulani Ƙasar Hausa Da Kyakkyawar Zamantakewarsu Da Haɓe (The Arrival of Fulani in Hausa Land and Their Good Relationship with the Hausa)

2.     Gobirawa Da Asalinsu (The Gobirawa and Their Origin)

3.     Tarihin Gimbanawa (History of the Gimbanawa)

○      Taƙaitaccen Tarihin Masarautar Jega (Brief History of Jega Emirate)

○      Taƙaitaccen Tarihin Mallam Abdussalami Bagimbane (Brief History of Mallam Abdussalami Bagimbane)

○      Wasiccin Jada Maijega (The Will of Jada Maijega)

○      Tarihin Gidan Mujahidu ɗan Abdussalam (History of the House of Mujahidu son of Abdussalam)

○      Tarihin Dangantakar Dagelawa da Sambawa da Gimbanawa (History of the Relationship between Dagelawa, Sambawa, and Gimbanawa)

4.     Asalin Hausawa Ga Tarihi (The Origin of Hausa People in History)

5.     Tushen Arawa Tun Daga Abuyazid (Bayajida) (The Origin of the Arawa from Abuyazid (Bayajida))

6.     Asalin Kanta Ɗan Makata Ɗan Kotai (The Origin of Kanta son of Makata son of Kotai)

7.     Tarihin Sissilɓe (Sulluɓawa) (History of the Sissilɓe (Sulluɓawa))

8.     Tarihin Ƙasar Yauri A Taƙaice (A Brief History of Yauri Land)

9.     Faɗakarwa A Kan Haɗin Kan Musulmi Da Matsayin Bara Da Raraka A Musulunci (Awareness on Muslim Unity and the Status of Begging and Loafing in Islam)

Footnotes

[1] Through him and his community, the jihad for the revival of Islam in Hausaland began. See 'Tarihin Abdussalami Bagimbane' by Muhammadu Sambo Wali.

[2] Because the city of Alkalawa originally belonged to the Gimbanawa. The Gobirawa deceived them and seized the city. This happened after they spent a long time in Agadez, where the Tuaregs (Buzaye) killed almost fifty of their rulers, so they fled to Kunya (now in Damagaram, Niger), where Sarkin Borno Mai Ari granted them refuge. From there, they came to Hausaland, where Sarkin Zamfara granted them refuge in Lalle city (now in Madawa, Niger), near Alkalawa city. It was from there that, after settling in, they attempted to conquer the city by war for about eighteen years, but did not succeed. They decided to make peace with the Gimbanawa. After the peace treaty, they cunningly attacked the city at the very time the Gimbanawa were in their farms, cultivating. They seized the city without any difficulty. See 'Tarihin Gobirawa Da Asalinsu' by Sambo Wali for more details.

[3] He was the sixth vizier in the line of Sokoto viziers. He served as vizier from 1910 to 1912 AD.

[4] He was the first vizier in Sokoto after Shehu Abdullahi ɗan Fodiyo moved to Gwandu. He served as vizier from 1817 to 1842. He died in 1850 AD. See Jean Boyd and Beverly B. Mack, The Collected Works of Nana Asma’u: Daughter of Usman ɗan Fodiyo (1793 – 1864) (1999; Nigerian Publishing), page 228.

[5] Futa-Toro is in Senegal, West Africa.

[6] D.O. (District Officer).

[7] His full name was Mr. Neil Skinner. He was a British colonial officer. He wrote the English–Hausa Illustrated Dictionary: A Great Guide to English (1965).

[8] National Broadcasting Corporation.

[9] This is the new name given to the radio station in 1979. Sambo Wali gave it this name because Sokoto city is on the Rima River. Alkalawa, the city of the Gobirawa, is on the Rima River. Sokoto and Wurno, the major cities of the then Sokoto Caliphate, are on the Rima River. Gungu and Surame, the major cities of Kanta, are on the Rima River. Kebbi city and Argungu, the cities of the second phase of Kebbi chieftaincy, are on the Rima River.

[10] Centre for Islamic Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

[11] At the time, he became old and had insufficient health.

[12] Which he composed in 1951, when he was 14 years old.

[13] Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar.

[14] I co-authored two papers. One in Hausa, and one in English. Their titles are as follows:

1.     'Muhammadu Sambo Wali (Basakkwace): Gudummawarsa Ga Ci Gaban Adabi Da Tarihi' (Muhammadu Sambo Wali (Basakkwace): His Contribution to the Development of Literature and History). A paper presented at the International Conference of the Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies at Bayero University, Kano, on 'The Role of Art to Development'. (Sambo, A.W. & Alfanda, A.A. 2016).

2.     'The Role of Hausa Written Poets in Conflict Resolution: A Case Study of Sambo Wali Giɗaɗawa'. A paper presented at the 31st conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. (Ahmad, A.A. & Sambo, A.W. 2017).

[15] She died on October 17, 2016.

[16] Dr. Almustapha (Mujtaba) Sambo Wali wrote this history with the help of his father, Sambo Wali, on Thursday, August 11, 2016 AD, corresponding to Dhul-Qi'dah 8, 1437 AH. This history was updated on Saturday, June 29, 2025 AD, corresponding to Muharram 3, 1447 AH, after Sambo Wali’s death.