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Prof Ibrahim Bello-Kano faults claim that Dangote Is a ‘Disciplined Fulani’
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano-based academic Prof Ibrahim Bello-Kano popularly known as IBK has criticised a recent comment describing business mogul Aliko Dangote as a “disciplined Fulani,” arguing that the description reflects a misunderstanding of Kano’s history, ethnic identity and the background of the Dangote family.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof IBK, in a lengthy response addressed to a professor he identified as Prof. DAO, said the claim that Dangote’s success was connected to his being a “disciplined Fulani” was historically and ethnographically questionable.
He argued that the Dangote family’s paternal lineage is rooted in the ancient city of Kano, and urged the professor to study the history of indigenous Hausa merchants and entrepreneurs in the region.
According to him, Kano had a long-established commercial culture predating the emergence of modern Nigerian industry, citing accounts by European travellers and colonial administrators as evidence of the city’s longstanding mercantile tradition.
Prof IBK referenced the writings of Lord Lugard, Heinrich Barth, Staudinger and Cailié, among others, arguing that their accounts documented the commercial activities, guild systems and manufacturing traditions that existed in Kano.
He also referred to historical accounts of wealthy merchants in Kano, including Kundila, while citing a recent intervention by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, in which the monarch reportedly listed prominent indigenous Kano and Hausa businessmen in response to comments about Dangote’s wealth.
Prof IBK further argued that ethnic identity in northern Nigeria cannot always be reduced to rigid categories of “Hausa” or “Fulani”.
He said centuries of migration, intermarriage, language, religion and cultural interaction had produced considerable ethnic and cultural hybridity across the region.
“Ethnic hybridity is the rule,” he argued, adding that claims of completely “pure” Hausa or Fulani identities could overlook the complex history of communities across northern Nigeria and neighbouring regions.
The academic also challenged the concept of describing Dangote as a “disciplined Fulani”, arguing that the phrase could inadvertently reinforce stereotypes about both Hausa and Fulani people.
He questioned the assumption that commercial success, discipline or industrial achievement should be associated with one particular ethnic identity.
Prof IBK urged the professor to examine Dangote’s family history and speak with members of his family in Koki, an old quarter of Kano, to better understand his ancestry and cultural background.
He also used examples of intermarriage, multilingualism, religious affiliation and cultural assimilation to argue that individuals in northern Nigeria may possess multiple layers of identity that do not fit neatly into a single ethnic category.
The academic further criticised what he described as the professor’s broader argument about how culture and tradition shape individual behaviour, saying such an argument did not adequately explain the historical and socioeconomic factors behind Dangote’s success.
Prof IBK concluded by arguing that critical social theory could be used to examine and challenge assumptions about ethnicity and cultural identity.
He maintained that discussions about Dangote’s success should focus on historical, economic, institutional and entrepreneurial factors rather than attributing his achievements to an ethnic description such as “disciplined Fulani”.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
Ibrahim Khalil
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Aminu Dabo, has resigned as the party’s caucus chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area and withdrawn his membership of the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dabo, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), announced his resignation in a letter dated October 7, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Dambatta Gabas Ward.
In the letter, personally signed by him, Dabo said he took the decision after careful consideration of personal reasons and his future endeavours.
He confirmed his resignation during a telephone conversation from Abuja on Wednesday, saying he had formally submitted the letter to the appropriate party officials in Dambatta for necessary action.
“I remain grateful for the cordial relationship I enjoyed and appreciative of the experience gained during my time of service,” he said.
The former NPA managing director also thanked the party’s leadership for the opportunity and confidence reposed in him to contribute to its development and progress during his membership.
“I sincerely appreciate the support and opportunity I have received from the party leadership,” he added.
A statement issued by Abdullahi Othman, Media and Publicity Aide to Dabo Dabo, said the former NPA MD did not disclose further details about his reasons for leaving the APC in the resignation letter.
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