Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the Emir of Zazzau, has disclosed that his late father passed away, leaving only N11,000 and five pieces of clothing for his children, even though he held important roles in business and public service.
Bamalli explained that this experience shaped how he views wealth and led him to avoid making money his main focus during his career.
Talking about his background, the emir said his father, the late Magaji Zazzau, did not own a car when he died, even though he chaired the Leventis Group.
“My father left nothing. He left only N11,000 and five pieces of clothes behind,” Bamalli said.
He added that the only vehicle his father used belonged to the Leventis Group and was later given to the family after his death.
“The only car he had at that time belonged to Leventis Group. He was the group’s chairman. And when he passed on, they dashed it to the family,” he said.
According to Bamalli, his father’s modest legacy made him question the importance of accumulating wealth, particularly when public service was involved.
“I didn’t see any reason why I should accumulate wealth because my father left nothing,” the emir said.
Bamalli, who previously worked in the banking sector and diplomatic service before ascending the Zazzau throne, also dismissed suggestions that he accumulated money to position himself for the emirship.
He said the money available to him before his appointment as emir was largely from his official allowances as Nigeria’s ambassador to Thailand, with concurrent accreditation to Myanmar.
“I didn’t have anything. The only money in my account was the Foreign Service allowances we were given like salaries every month; that’s all,” he said.
Asked if he had deliberately saved money in anticipation of becoming emir, Bamalli replied, “I didn’t have anything.”
The emir also rejected the idea that wealth could determine who emerged as the traditional ruler of Zazzau, insisting that the throne could not be bought.
“Money cannot fetch you this position,” he said.
Bamalli, who will celebrate six years on the throne in October, said he currently owns only two houses: one in Zaria and another in Abuja.
He explained that his approach to leadership is guided by a commitment to justice and service, not personal gain.
He said he swore by the Quran to be fair and just to the people of the emirate.
“Leadership is not about accumulation, it is not about vanity or flamboyance or anything, it is about service to the people, service to humanity,” he said.
Bamalli said his greatest ambition was to leave behind a legacy of justice rather than material wealth.
“My prayer is to be remembered as a just leader; that’s all,” he said.