The death of the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Shehu Idris has created a vacancy on the ancient throne. The emir died on Sunday after a protracted illness and has since been buried after janaza at his palace in Zaria.Nigerians from all walks of life continue to mourn the death of the revered monarch Dateline Nigeria looks at a number of princes likely to inherit the throne. Zazzau Emirate has four ruling houses – Barebari, Katsinawa, Sullubawa and Mallawa, and a new emir can emerge from any of the houses.

Kingmakers of the emirate are expected to select three names and forward to the governor, who will pick one of them to become the emir. Below are some of the princes considered frontrunners to the throne.


Iyan Zazzau Alhaji Bashar Aminu



Believed to be in his 70s, Iyan Zazzau is a senior counsellor in the Zazzau emirate and a son of the 17th Emir of Zazzau Muhammad Aminu, who preceded the late Dr Shehu Idris.

He is also from the Katsinawa ruling house, just like the late Dr Shehu Idris.

Iya Bashar, as he is being fondly called, is a very close friend and confidant of the late monarch, who is married to his sister.


Iya Bashar is blessed with many children including Kogunan Zazzau Alhaji Abdulkarim Bashir Aminu and Danbarhim Zazzau Alhaji Ahmad Bashir Aminu.

Yariman Zazzau Munir Jaafaru



Alhaji Munir Jaafaru is the son of the 16th Emir of Zazzau Jaafaru Dan Isiyaku from the Barebari ruling house.

A former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Security and Administration Agency (NIMASA) and Commissioner in Kaduna State, Munir Jaafaru was born in 1956.

He is a trained lawyer who worked in many places from lecturing at a university to working in a bank and public sector.

A married man with children, Munir Jaafaru is always an interesting sight to behold during Sallah durbar.


Magajin Garin Zazzau Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli

Bamalli is from the Mallawa ruling house which last sat on the throne over 100 years ago. The title of Magajin Gari is also an important title usually given a senior royal family member of the Zazzau Emirate.



Born on 8th June 1966 in Zaria, Ahmed is a diplomat serving as Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand and Myanmar. He was also Commissioner Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission between 2015 and 2017.

From November 2011 to 2014, he was Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer & ED Corporate Services at the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc.

A very good friend of Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, Ahmed is married and blessed with 5 children (a boy and four girls).


Sarkin Kudun Zazzau Sambo Shehu Idris


Barrister Sambo Shehu Idris is seen as a likely successor to his father owing to their close relationship, coupled with the fact that

he is also the District Head of Zaria and environs.

Sambo is still seen as serious contender because of the position he occupies.

Barrister Sambo Shehu Idris is also the chairman of the famous Zaria Polo Club and also the Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Polo Federation.

He is also married with children.

Danmajen Zazzau Nasiru Shehu Idris

Arch. Nasiru Shehu Idris is also a son of the late monarch who was born on 19th July 1983 in Zaria. He is also a disaster risk manager as well as a construction risk manager.

His mother Hajiya Binta is the daughter of the 17th Emir of Zazzau Muhammadu Aminu, which also makes him a nephew of Iyan Zazzau Bashar Aminu.

Nasiru Shehu Idris is married to Hajiya Hadiza Muhammadu Muhammadu and

their union is blessed with three kids namely Safiyya (Nawal), Fatima (Rania) and Naja’atu (Nihal).

They should give dat one born in 1983