Muhammad Wani

Muhammad Wani bin Abdullahi bin Fudi (1789–1833) was the second Emir of Gwandu from 1829 to 1833. He was the eldest son of Abdullahi dan Fodio, and fought as a young commander during the Sokoto jihad, which started in 1804 and ended in 1808. Wani later administered Gwandu on behalf of his father. After Abdullahi's death in 1829, Wani was elected as emir. His reign was marked by campaigns against the Kebbawa rebels of Argungu, the Arewa, and neighbouring Yoruba and Borgu states.

In 1817, after Caliph Muhammad Bello crushed a revolt by the Ba-Are scholar Abd al-Salam, some of Abd al-Salam's followers regrouped at Kalambaina and began another revolt. They held out for two years against Abdullahi's forces until a combined army led by Bello and senior commanders, including Wani, succeeded in capturing it and quelling the rebellion.

Reign In 1829, Abdullahi died of illness and Wani was soon elected his successor. According to local tradition, Abdullahi summoned Wani to Gwandu before his death so that his son could bury him.

Wani's closest followers at Birnin Kebbi were Gudugudu, Zarumi na Kola, and Uthman b. Sanusi, all celebrated warriors. Others who led powerful groups were the Sarkin Dendi of Zogirma, and the Sarkin Aliero. Uthman was appointed Magajin Gari and put in charge of Birnin Kebbi, which reportedly angered Zarumi and Gudugudu, who fell out with Wani and left to found the villages of Kola and Kardin Gudugudu respectively.

In 1831, the emirate of Ilorin was established and placed under the authority of Gwandu.

Wani died in 1833. His brother Ibrahim Khalil was elected as his successor. According to tradition, Wani had nominated Khalil before his death.