Mohammed Awwal Suleiman

Alhaji Mohammed Awwal Ibrahim (born September 8, 1941) is a Nigerian traditional ruler who served as governor of Niger State from October 1979 to December 1983 during the Nigerian Second Republic. He was elected on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform.

Ibrahim was born in Abuja, now known as Suleja, in September 8, 1941. He attended Provincial Secondary School, Bida from 1956 to 1961 and continued further studies at the School for Arabic Studies, Kano. He earned a degree in English from Abdullahi Bayero College in 1967 and a master’s in 1970.

He joined Ahmadu Bello University in 1967 as a lecturer of languages. From 1967 to 1976, Ibrahim advanced within the administrative ranks, serving as acting registrar of Bayero University Kano and Executive Secretary of the Center for Cultural Studies between 1973 and 1975.

When Niger State was created in 1976, his services were transferred to the new state as an administrator. He initially held the position of acting Permanent Secretary for Special Duties before becoming the Permanent Secretary for Local Government.

In 1979, he left civil service to contest for governor of Niger State under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Ibrahim won the primary election and faced challenges in the gubernatorial state elections, ultimately becoming the first elected Governor of Niger State.

There were attempts to impeach Ibrahim while he was governor. He was forced out of office after the coup that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power. A military tribunal set up by the Buhari government convicted him of abuse of power and corruption in 1984.

In 1986, he was barred for life from holding public office or participating in partisan politics. The Suleja Emirate, a Hausa emirate established in the early 19th century, formerly known as Abuja, was renamed Suleja in 1976 after a portion of the emirate became part of the Federal Capital Territory.

Awwal Ibrahim became the Emir, or Sarki, of Suleja in 1993. His accession led to rioting and property destruction by opponents. He was deposed on 10 May 1994 by General Sani Abacha. After the return to democracy, Ibrahim was restored to his title of Emir of Suleja on 17 January 2000, causing further violent clashes and requiring government intervention with anti-riot troopers and a 20-hour curfew.

In June 2008, Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu noted the environmental and social problems caused by the expansion of the federal capital to Suleja, calling for federal funding to accelerate development.

In September 2001, Ibrahim was awarded the title of Commander of the Niger. In 2010, he served as chairman of the Niger State government’s Committee on Reformation of Almajirci, which consists of itinerant Quranic students who rely on alms for survival.