Sokoto: the seat of Africa's largest Islamic caliphate

Former capital of the Sokoto Caliphate, the most extensive Islamic state in West Africa, the city remains today the religious and cultural center of Muslim Nigeria.

The center, historic seat of Africa's most extensive Islamic caliphate, is comfortably explored by taxi or on foot near the sultan's palace.

The Sultan of Sokoto's Palace, residence of the most important Islamic spiritual leader in Nigeria, remains the religious and symbolic center of the city.

Just steps away, the Great Mosque of Sokoto, with its green cupolas, remains one of the most imposing religious buildings in northern Nigeria.

Continuing toward the center, one visits the Sokoto Museum, which preserves historical artifacts of the caliphate founded by religious reformer Usman dan Fodio.

Toward evening, Sokoto's markets animate the trade in leather, a traditional industry of the city dating back to the caliphate era.

The Sokoto Caliphate, founded in 1809 by Usman dan Fodio, became one of West Africa's largest and most powerful Islamic states before being conquered by the British in 1903.

The Sultan of Sokoto remains today the most authoritative spiritual leader for the Muslims of northern Nigeria, a religious role maintained despite the abolition of the caliphate's political power during the colonial era.