Usman Dan Fodio’s jihad was a revolutionary movement with certain characteristics which are identical to others. It established theocratic states in the Northern Nigeria. It succeeded in breaking down local ethnic loyalties substituting a higher loyalty which transcended boundary of kith and kin.
Usman Dan Fodio, the leader of 1804 Jihad in the Northern Nigeria was born in Gobir to Toronkawa clan which migrates from Futa Toro. His father Fodio was among the thirteenth descendants of the leader of the migration. These Fulani emigrants were of two sects. One sect stuck to the nomadic life and they were referred to as the “Bororoje” or cattle Fulani while the others remained in the town, that is, why people referred to them as Town Fulani or “Fulani Gidda”. Those who remained in towns were well educated and highly spiritual. This is where Usman Dan Fodio belonged – he was well educated. Usman was born in 1744 while his brother Abdullah was born in 1756; together they were brought up as strict Muslims of the Maliki School. Usman, a man of great intellectual gifts, a quick pupil could as well be regarded as multilingual because he spoke several language.
