The family of the late Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido, has urged Nigerian leaders to embrace dialogue, religious tolerance and accountability as the country prepares to mark 20 years since the monarch died in the October 29, 2006, ADC Airlines crash.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Bello Maccido, the family said the late Sultan’s leadership principles remained relevant amid Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, communal tensions and religious divisions.
The family also called for stronger aviation safety measures and greater accountability among regulatory authorities, saying the anniversary should serve as a reminder of the need to protect passengers and prevent avoidable air disasters.
“At a time when our nation faces serious security and social challenges, the ideals our father stood for remain as relevant as ever,” the family said.
It urged political leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures and citizens to prioritise consultation and mutual understanding when addressing disagreements, warning against approaches that deepen divisions.
The family said Maccido’s preference for dialogue over confrontation offered lessons for a country grappling with insecurity and strained relations among communities of different religious backgrounds.
Maccido’s legacy of dialogue
Maccido became the 19th Sultan of Sokoto in April 1996 and remained on the throne until his death a decade later. As Sultan, he also headed the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, placing him at the centre of Muslim religious leadership and national discussions on interfaith relations.
Born in 1926 in Dange, present-day Sokoto State, Maccido was a son of Sultan Abubakar III and a descendant of Sheikh Usman dan Fodio, the Islamic scholar associated with the founding of the Sokoto Caliphate.
Before ascending the throne, he served in public administration, including as Presidential Liaison Officer in Sokoto State during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari.
The family recalled his contributions to education, public health and religious coexistence, including his support for polio vaccination and efforts to address HIV/AIDS.
Maccido’s support for polio immunisation was particularly significant during a period when misinformation fuelled resistance to vaccination in parts of northern Nigeria. His position placed him among influential Muslim leaders who supported efforts to protect children from preventable diseases.
The family also cited Shagari’s description of the late monarch as a patient and consultative leader.
“He does not rush or dictate things,” Shagari was quoted as saying, a remark the family said reflected Maccido’s approach to leadership through listening, consultation and consensus-building.
It urged contemporary leaders to draw from those principles in responding to national challenges, arguing that traditional institutions should remain actively involved in promoting peaceful coexistence and improving citizens’ welfare.
Family renews aviation safety appeal
Maccido died on October 29, 2006, when an ADC Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashed shortly after taking off from Abuja on a scheduled flight to Sokoto.
His son, Senator Badamasi Maccido, who represented Sokoto North in the Senate, and his grandson were also among the victims.
The aircraft had 105 occupants. The crash killed 96 people, while nine survived. Investigators linked the disaster to a wind-shear encounter in adverse weather and an inappropriate crew response, while also raising concerns about crew training and competency.
Maccido had travelled to Abuja for a Presidential Forum on Education before the tragedy. His death was a major loss to the Sokoto Sultanate and Nigeria’s Muslim community, where he was regarded as an influential advocate of peace and religious moderation.
As the family prepares to commemorate the anniversary on October 29, it has called for remembrance to go beyond mourning and translate into practical steps to improve aviation safety, enforce standards and strengthen regulatory accountability.
“Let this twentieth remembrance be more than an occasion for mourning,” the family said, urging Nigerians to work towards a peaceful, just and united society.
