President Bola Tinubu, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and House of Representatives member, Jafar Chiroma, have felicitated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on his 20th anniversary on the throne, recognising his contributions to religious harmony, national cohesion and peacebuilding.
The leaders, in separate congratulatory messages on Monday, described the Sultan as a respected traditional and religious leader whose influence has helped promote dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Tinubu, in a letter personally signed by him, said the monarch had distinguished himself over the past two decades through his commitment to preserving the heritage of the Sokoto Caliphate while deploying the institution's influence to promote peace and national development.
The President described the Sultan as a moral authority, a bridge between religious communities and a dependable voice of moderation in the country's affairs.
“You have been more than a traditional ruler. You have been a moral authority, a bridge between faiths, a voice of moderation and a steady counsellor to leaders across the country,” he said.
Tinubu particularly acknowledged the Sultan's contributions as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, saying his leadership had strengthened understanding between Christians and Muslims.
He noted that the monarch had consistently advocated religious tolerance, helping to make Nigeria's diversity a source of strength rather than division.
The President also praised his interventions in peacebuilding efforts in northern Nigeria and the Sahel, as well as his advocacy for girl-child education, support for farmers and concern for disadvantaged Nigerians.
Tinubu further described his relationship with the Sultan as one he deeply valued, acknowledging the monarch's counsel, prayers and support.
“Your counsel has been honest, patriotic and always in Nigeria's best interest. Thank you for your support and your prayers for our nation,” the President wrote.
He prayed for the Sultan's continued good health, long life and wisdom, expressing hope that his reign would continue to promote peace in Sokoto and unity across Nigeria.
In a separate message, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf described the Sultan's 20-year reign as a period of significant contributions to Islamic leadership, interfaith relations and national stability.
The governor, through his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, said the monarch had continued to provide guidance to the Muslim Ummah while encouraging dialogue among people of different religious and cultural backgrounds.
Yusuf prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the Sultan good health, wisdom and strength to continue serving Islam, the Muslim community and the country.
He said the anniversary offered Nigerians an opportunity to acknowledge the monarch's contributions to religious leadership, national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Similarly, Chiroma, who represents Bali/Gassol Federal Constituency of Taraba State in the House of Representatives, described the Sultan as an outstanding traditional ruler whose leadership had strengthened national unity and preserved Nigeria's cultural heritage.
Chiroma, in a congratulatory message made available to journalists in Sokoto through his aide, Usman Sarsa, said the monarch had demonstrated exceptional wisdom and commitment to peace throughout his reign.
He highlighted the Sultan's efforts to encourage dialogue between religious communities through the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Jama'atu Nasril Islam and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council.
The lawmaker also commended the monarch's involvement in public health initiatives, particularly polio eradication and routine immunisation campaigns, noting his ability to mobilise traditional and religious institutions in support of such programmes.
Chiroma prayed for the Sultan's continued good health, long life and wisdom to sustain his leadership of the Sokoto Caliphate and the Muslim Ummah.
The Sultan ascended the throne on November 2, 2006, following the death of his predecessor, Sultan Muhammadu Maccido, who was among 96 people killed when ADC Airlines Flight 053 crashed near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on October 29, 2006.
He became the 20th Sultan of Sokoto.
Before his coronation, Abubakar had served in the Nigerian Army for nearly three decades. He joined the military in 1974 after graduating from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and rose to the rank of Brigadier-General.
His military career included various command and staff appointments, international peacekeeping assignments in Chad and Sierra Leone, and service as Nigeria's Defence Attaché to Pakistan. He retired from the Army in December 2006.
Over the past 20 years, the Sultan has emerged as an influential voice in efforts to resolve conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence, including tensions arising from farmer-herder disputes, the Boko Haram insurgency and ethno-religious crises in parts of the country.
He has also consistently advocated girl-child education and greater participation of traditional institutions in addressing public health and development challenges.
The Sokoto Caliphate, founded in 1804 by Islamic scholar Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, remains one of the most prominent traditional Islamic institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, with the Sultan exercising considerable spiritual influence over Muslims across Nigeria.
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