Gogo Habiba

Gogo Habiba, also known as Habiba Sabaci (1805–1867), was a Fulani noblewoman and slave merchant who wielded significant political influence in Nupeland during the mid-19th century. She was the daughter of Mallam Dendo, the founder of the Nupe-Fulani dynasty that had ruled Nupeland since the early 19th century.

Habiba reached the height of her power during the second reign of her younger brother, Emir Masaba (r. 1859–1873). During this period, she was granted the royal title of Sagi, which put her in charge of the affairs of women in the Emirate. She was answerable only to the Emir. Habiba was also said to have commanded an army comparable to that of Masaba's in Bida. Operating from her slave depot at Badegi-Lapai (now called Badeggi, located in Katcha), her men regularly conducted slave raids in neighbouring, weaker Nupe and Gbagyi settlements. She traded the captured slaves as far as Lagos, notably with Madame Tinubu, another influential female slave trader.

Fearing Habiba's growing influence and popularity, Emir Masaba convinced his sister to move to Bida, the capital of his Emirate. However, in Bida, her influence continued to grow, once again overshadowing her half-brother. The arrival of British merchants in the early 1860s presented Masaba with another opportunity to curtail his sister's power over the Emirate. Throughout the decade, he cultivated a strong friendship with these merchants, who supplied him with modern weaponry and a steady flow of firearms. As Masaba's wealth and power rapidly increased, his relationship with Habiba deteriorated. This led Habiba to plot a rebellion against him. She, along with some members of the ruling family, allied with Etsu Baba of the old Nupe ruling dynasty to eliminate Masaba. However, before they could act, the plot was discovered, and Habiba was forced to commit suicide.

Despite her mother's status as a slave, Habiba was raised as a legitimate child of Dendo. Of her eight siblings, only two survived into the latter half of the 19th century, both of whom were her half-brothers: Usman Zaki, the first Emir of Bida (r. 1857–1859), and Muhammad Saba, also known as Masaba, who succeeded as the second Emir of Bida (r. 1859–1873). Habiba grew to be fond of her younger brother Masaba, who was born to a Nupe princess shortly after her birth. Their close relationship was due to the friendship both their mothers shared. Habiba also commanded a hierarchy of officials similar to that of the Emir, including a war commander, and had a large following of slaves and adventurers. Because she was fond of giving lavish gifts to her followers and soldiers, her following continued to grow. Eventually, she built a standing army comparable to that of the Emir. At Badegi-Lapai, she traded in slaves as far as Lagos, particularly with another influential female slave merchant, Madam Tinubu. Her vast economic resources earned her the loyalty of the Emirate's nobility, which made her very influential politically. It was said that Emir Masaba could not make any major decisions without her approval. Additionally, those seeking favors from Masaba often went through her.

As Masaba's wealth and power grew rapidly, his relationship with Habiba deteriorated. He ignored her frequent complaints and concerns about the recent developments. This led Habiba to plot a rebellion against him. In 1867, she, along with some members of the ruling family, allied with Etsu Baba of the old Nupe ruling dynasty to eliminate Masaba. However, before they could act, the plot was discovered, and Habiba was forced to commit suicide.