Dan Fodio's mission was never to reform Islam in the territories he seized but you theorised it to be so by the way of rewriting and misinterpreting Hausa history on self advantage. Islamic religion has thrived in the present Hausa land for centuries long before his forefathers dream of coming to this land. It is on record in 16th century, Sarkin Gobir Mamman Damka of present Birnin Konni now in Tahoua Niger hosted the family of pastoralist Musa Jakolo. He gave them a temporal settlement to reside but the contract didnt last long due to farmers and herders issues and he ousted and send them packing.

As of 14th century, Hausa states; Gobir, Katsina, Zazzau, Kano... have become center of studies and learning, according to history. Can you ask me who tutored the so called "Islamic reformer", it is the indigenous Hausas, and when he came up with the idea to preach in Birnin Alkalawa in 17th century, it is the Muslim Hausa kings who permitted him to. Though he was rejected permission in Alkalawa city after failing to answer questions meted on him by council of scholars in the palace. Sarkin Gobir Bawa Jangwarzo, wanting to fullfill his promise, handed his son Yunfa (who later become king) to pave way for Shehu Usman Danfodio to preach in Alkalawa villages as an alternative, unknown to him he would go about backbitting and speaking against them. The advice of Sultan should be act upon because the happenings in Northern Nigeria today is history repeating itself but this time in multitude.

To a lay historian and critical thinker, what Danfodio can be best called is a warrior not "Islamic reformer" or "Jihadist" as its often claimed, because he didnt fight for Islam but he used the faith of Hausas in Islam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdvfiVebb_s