Zainab, daughter of the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, has publicly asked Governor Abba Yusuf for financial help to buy a house in Lagos. This plea comes nearly a decade after her father’s passing. He was Kano’s longest-serving emir, ruling from 1963 until his death on June 6, 2014, at 83.
In an interview with Premium Times on Friday, August 23, Zainab revealed the challenges she and her family have faced since her father’s death. Despite being the daughter of a prominent royal figure, she disclosed that her family has been struggling financially and has not received any part of her father’s estate.
“I know a lot of people will be very surprised that the daughter of an Emir is in this kind of situation,” Zainab said. “Being born into a polygamous home, there are a lot of intrigues and divisions. The whole thing started when my daddy died; his death left a void within the family. Everyone was alone, especially me, my mother, and my younger brother. We were not given a part of his estate, so we were left in a terrible situation, which has been going on for ten years.”
She further explained how her family has struggled to find stability over the years, moving from one rented space to another, and sometimes even staying in hotels. Zainab expressed a desire to relocate to Lagos permanently, citing safety, freedom, and a fresh start as primary reasons for the move. However, she noted that their financial situation has made it difficult to secure a stable home.
“We’ve been trying to survive and find ways to get back on our feet and return to a proper environment—to have a home, not renting or moving from hotel to hotel. We would love the governor to help us buy or give us money to get a house here in Lagos,” Zainab said. “Since our father’s death, we believe it would be better to relocate to Lagos and start a new life for safety and freedom and to live our lives the way we want.”
Zainab’s appeal has sparked discussions, surprising many that the daughter of such a revered figure could face such dire circumstances. The late Ado Bayero was a respected leader who played a key role in Kano’s history. His family’s current situation highlights the complex dynamics that can arise in royal households, especially in polygamous settings.
Governor Abba Yusuf has not yet responded to Zainab’s plea, but the story has highlighted the struggles faced by some members of Nigeria’s royal families after the death of a patriarch and the financial difficulties that can arise even for those born into prominence.
