[2] Suleja was established in the early 19th century by Mohammed Makau, the last Hausa emir of Zaria, and his followers who were fleeing the Fulani jihadists engaged in the conquest of northern Nigeria.

[3] Zaria, or Zazzau, was one of the Hausa city/states of Northern Nigeria which were being conquered by the Fulani jihadists under its leader, Usman bin Fodio.

Cotton weaving and dyeing, with locally grown indigo, and mat making are traditional activities, but farming remains the chief occupation.

[9] From January 28 to April 14, the hot season, with an average daily high temperature exceeding 91°F, lasts for 2.5 months.

[14] The emirate's wooded savanna area of about 2,980 square kilometres (1,150 sq mi) originally included four small Koro chiefdoms that paid tribute to the Hausa kingdom of Zazzau.

[citation needed] After warriors of the Fulani jihad (struggle/War) captured Zaria (Zazzau's capital, 220 km (140 mi) north-northeast) about 1804, Muhamman Makau, sarkin ("king of") Zazzau, led many of the Hausa nobility to the Koro town of Zuba (10 km or 6 mi south).