At the beginning of the 19th century, Fulani Islamic leader Usman dan Fodio led a jihad affecting much of northern Nigeria, leading to the emergence of the Sokoto Caliphate.

[9] After sporadic fighting outside the walls of the fort, the British managed to penetrate the defensive parameters of the capital.

The emir, Aliyu Babba, was away with its large contingent of cavalry for the autumn campaign at Sokoto.

News of the British capture of Kano in February 1903 sent the cavalry in a long march to retake the city.

[1] The British made Kano an important administrative centre and kept most of the emirate's institutions in the form of the Kano Emirate Council, subject to the British crown in a newly formed state called Northern Nigeria.