Islam arrived in various Nigerian regions at various times and by various routes. Islam initially emerged as the religion of the elite and ruling class. The religion then made its way from the throne to the common people. It was able to propagate violently after it gained popularity. Islam entered Nigeria through Arab and Berber Muslim traders, preachers, and travelers, among other channels.
For instance, it was Mohammed Wani of Fezzan who brought Islam to Borno. Islam originated with the wangarawa, Fulani, arabs, and kanuri, among other foreign populations, in Hausa-land. It was brought about in Nupeland by the Arabs, Kanuri, and Fulani. It originated in Yoruba through the preachers and scholars of Kanuri, Nupe, and Hausa. Islam spread because of the migration of people from various centers brought about by trade and business, war, emigration, and intermarriage. Once more, Muslims’ belief in their mystic abilities helped Islam expand more quickly.
In Northern Nigeria, the local rulers welcomed a well-known Muslim mystic with great enthusiasm, thinking that the mystic could use his unique abilities to solve several significant issues. It was said that he could win wars, create rain during protracted droughts and shield himself and his family from witchcraft. Many local rulers and their subjects converted to Islam as a result of these ideas. Muslim academics were also engaged as administrators, advisors, and ambassadors in the royal courts.
The general populace was forced to embrace Islam and all of its teachings thanks to good communication between the local authorities and Muslim academics. Several states, including Borno, Hausa, Nupe, and a portion of Yorubaland, had adopted Islam by the 18th century. The religion had been embraced and supported by the ruling class. The population of Muslim academics increased significantly in many metropolitan areas, and by the end of the century, several Northern Nigerian localities had generated their own native Muslim intellectuals. However, despite the fact that Islam is becoming more significant in these states.
It did not completely triumph over conventional religion and morals. On the other hand, some people wanted Islam to completely triumph over pagan beliefs. In the 19th century, they were the ones that spearheaded a jihad in northern Nigeria.
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