He became secretary to the Wali of Borno in 1945, and subsequently worked in different departments of the Native Authority as the representative of the Shehu.

[4] In 1952 he attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he studied Public Administration.

[5] El-Kanemi was elected to the Northern Region House of Assembly in 1956, representing the Damaturu/Busari Constituency, and was re-elected in 1959.

At one time he was vice president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

[4] He was succeeded by Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi of Borno from the related family of the Dikwa Emirate.