A prominent heritage group in Sokoto State, the SokotoDNA Heritage Development Initiative, has submitted a formal memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee on constitutional amendments seeking to rename certain local government areas in the state in honour of founding figures and cities of the historic Sokoto Caliphate.
The memorandum, signed by Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, a former House of Representatives member and current chairman of the Initiative, was received by the Committee on July 26, 2025.
According to the proposal, the name changes aim to reflect the rich history, legacy, and contributions of key leaders and towns that played vital roles in the establishment and development of the Sokoto Caliphate.
Specifically, the proposal recommends:
- Sokoto North LGA to be renamed after one of the following caliphate leaders, pending endorsement by the Sultanate Council:
- Waziri Usman Gidado Lema
- Abubakar Dan Jada
- Ummarunmu Alkammi
- Muhammadu Galadima Doshiro
- Sokoto South LGA to be renamed Sarkin Zamfara LGA, in recognition of the title first held by Sultan Ahmad Zaruku in the 1820s, which historically denoted the mayoral status of Sokoto and its surrounding communities.
- Gwadabawa LGA to become Degyel–Gwadabawa LGA, and
- Bodinga LGA to become Sifawa–Bodinga LGA.
Degyel and Sifawa, the memorandum explains, were country homes of Shehu Usman Danfodiyo—the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate—where he lived, taught, and nurtured his scholarly community for decades. The proposal argues that both towns were intellectual hubs and preceded the founding of the present-day Gwadabawa and Bodinga by nearly a century.
The document references Islamic tradition and global best practices in naming cities and institutions after historic and cultural icons. It also cites several instances in Nigeria where constitutional amendments have been used to rename local governments, such as the changes in Ebonyi, Kano, Ogun, and Oyo states.
“This proposal is meant to bring a significant and positive change in our psyche and appreciation of our history and heritage,” the memorandum states. “It will better reflect the historical and cultural identity of our esteemed local government areas and state.”
It adds that the proposed names have been widely accepted by local and international scholars, traditional institutions, and community members, and carry profound symbolic value that evokes unity, resilience, and progress.
Dr. Kakale, who also leads advocacy for almajiri and out-of-school children reforms, declared there is no cultural, linguistic, or political conflict in the proposed changes and called on the Sokoto State Government, the State Assembly, and the Sultanate Council to support the constitutional amendment process.
The group believes the renaming will honour the memory of the caliphate’s legendary leaders while inspiring future generations and reinforcing Sokoto’s role as a beacon of Islamic scholarship, peace, and leadership in Africa.
