From 1967 to 1976, Ibrahim moved up within the administrative ranks, he was acting registrar of Bayero University Kano and Executive Secretary of the Center for Cultural Studies between 1973 and 1975.
In 1979, he left civil service to contest for as a candidate for Governor of Niger State under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
His restoration again caused a series of violent clashes, forcing the government to call in anti-riot troopers and impose a 20-hour curfew.
[8] Twenty one people were arrested including the chairman of the Suleja Emirate, Alhaji Shuaibu Barda.
[9] Speaking at Awwal Ibrahim's palace in June 2008, Niger State governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu noted the environmental and social problems that expansion of the federal capital has caused to the ancient city of Suleja and called for federal funding to accelerate development.