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.
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