Claim: An X user claims there is no Hausa sitting governor, arguing that all Northern governors are Fulanis.
Verdict: Misleading. DUBAWA found that several Northern governors belong to ethnic groups other than Fulani. The claim about the absence of Hausa governors is also difficult to establish because Hausa identity is historically and academically more complex than a single ethnic classification.
Full Text
Discussions about whether certain ethnic groups dominate political offices in Nigeria frequently surface on social media, especially amid broader debates about inclusion, federal character and representation.
Against this backdrop, an X user, Dr Kalu, OON (@DrKalu_) recently claimed there is no sitting Hausa governor in Nigeria and that all serving governors in Northern Nigeria are Fulani.
The post archived here reads, “Are you aware that there is no single sitting Hausa governor in Nigeria? Yes, all the Northern governors are Fulani.”
As of June 10, 2026, the post had generated more than 334,000 views, 2,100 reposts and 9,800 likes.
The claim sparked debate among users, with some challenging the assertion and others supporting it.
One user, Felicity (@Fizzyalexa06), challenged the assertion, stating, “Muftwang of Plateau isn’t Fulani. Do your research well and stop pushing false propaganda and agenda.”
Another user, Shina (@ShinaToluoni117), supporting the claim wrote, “Not only are they the majority, but they also own the land. Fulani are not native to Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s North is home to dozens of ethnic groups, and discussions around ethnicity, political representation and identity often generate strong reactions online.
Given the engagement the post generated and its potential to mislead the public, DUBAWA investigated it.
Verification
DUBAWA reviewed the ethnic backgrounds of serving governors across Northern Nigeria. Our investigation found that several Northern governors are not Fulani.
For instance, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State are identified as Kanuri.
Similarly, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State is from the Margi ethnic group, while Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State is Nupe.
These examples directly contradict the claim that all Northern governors are Fulani.
The Hausa identity question
DUBAWA found that the second part of the claim requires additional context. Historical studies of Hausa origins indicate that Hausa identity is not always defined in the same way as scholars define many other ethnic groups.
Academic studies suggest that the Hausa community evolved through the interaction and integration of multiple groups that eventually adopted a common language and cultural identity.
Some historians describe Hausawa as a combination of different peoples rather than a single, uniform ethnic stock.
DUBAWA also contacted Salisu Yakasai, a professor in the Department of Nigerian Languages at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
He explained that research and scholarly debates on Hausa identity are ongoing, particularly regarding the criteria for defining who Hausa is.
According to him, some ethnic groups gradually become absorbed into larger communities through sustained contact and eventually adopt their language, customs, and way of life.
Salisu referenced The Hausa Factor in West African History, a historical work by the late historian Professor Mahdi Adamu, which discusses Hausa identity beyond ancestry alone.
He noted that the journal identifies Hausa identity through cultural markers such as language, dress, food, social practices, and other shared cultural traits.
“There are many people who may not be Hausa by ancestry but live entirely as Hausawa through language and culture,” he told DUBAWA.
Conclusion
The assertion that all Northern governors are Fulani is inaccurate, as several serving governors belong to ethnic groups such as Kanuri, Margi, Nupe, and Berom. The assertion that there is no sitting Hausa governor is more complex and depends largely on how Hausa identity is defined. Therefore, the claim is misleading.