This is a list of notable Fulanis.
Nigeria
Academics and Islamic scholars Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Al-Fulani Al-Kishwani – prominent mathematician in the early 1700s from Katsina Usman dan Fodio (1754–1817) – Islamic scholar, revolutionary from Sokoto, founder and spiritual leader of the Sokoto Caliphate. Abdullahi dan Fodio (1766–1829) – scholar, jurist, pioneer, Grand Vizier of Sokoto and first Emir of Gwandu (r. 1812–1828). Nana Asma'u – princess, poet, Islamic scholar and daughter of Usman dan Fodio. Muhammed Bello (1781–1837) – the first sultan of Sokoto. Abd al-Qadir dan Tafa (1804–1864) – described as the "most learned scholar of his time" in the Sokoto Caliphate who specialized in philosophy (Falsafa) Abu Bakr Atiku (1782–1842) – second sultan of the Sokoto Caliphate, reigning from October 1837 until November 1842. Muhammadu Junaidu – former grand vizier of Sokoto, historian, writer Hayatu ibn Sa'id - great-grandson of Usman dan Fodio, Mahdist leader who attempted to conquer Bornu and The Sokoto Caliphate. Muhammad Bukhari bin Uthman - military commander, scholar and poet. Son Of Usman dan Fodio. Modibbo Adama (1786–1847) – first Laamiɗo and founder of Fombina (Adamawa emirate) which covered parts of Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. Modibbo Raji – influential 19th century Islamic scholar who is generally regarded as the founder of the Islamic scholarly tradition in Adamawa;Wazir(vizier) in the Gwandu Emirate of the Sokoto Caliphate Muhammad Auwal Albani Zaria - prominent Islamic scholar and reformer. Isa Ali Pantami - Islamic scholar, former Minister of Communications and Digital economy. Ibrahim Ahmad Maqary - Professor of Arabic and linguistics, Current Co-imam of the Abuja National Mosque. Iya Abubakar – Professor of Mathematics at Ahmadu Bello University at the age of 28, first Northern-Nigerian to earn a PhD in any field, former vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University R. A. B. Dikko - first Medical Doctor from Northern Nigeria. Mahmud Modibbo Tukur (1944–1988) -Nigerian historian, scholar and the 4th National President of the Academic Staff Union of universities (ASUU) Muhammad Ali Pate – CEO GAVI; Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank, professor at Harvard Chan School; former Minister of State for Health, Current Minister Of Health. Mustafa Shehu - first person from Sub-Sahara Africa to be elected president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations. Umar Garba - professor of electrical and telecommunications engineering, former executive vice-chairman and chief executive Officer of Nigerian Communications Commission Abdul Ganiyu Ambali - veterinary doctor, former vice- chancellor of University of Ilorin. Ibrahim Abubakar - professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University College London, vice provost (health). Fatima Batul Mukhtar - professor of botany, vice- chancellor Azman University. Bello Shehu - neurosurgeon, former chief medical director of the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, National Hospital, Abuja and Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin-Kebbi, vice chancellor of The Federal University Birnin-Kebbi. Usman Yusuf - professor of hematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation, former chief executive officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Bello Bako Dambatta - professor of chemistry, vice chancellor Bayero University kano. Aisha Maikudi - professor of international law, vice chancellor University of Abuja, youngest female vice-chancellor at the age of 41. Hadiza Galadanci - professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Bayero University, Kano, director of the World Bank Africa Center of Excellence for Population Health and Policy. Muhammad Yahuza Bello - professor of mathematics, 10th vice-chancellor Bayero University kano Fatima Tahir - professor of microbiology, vice-chancellor of Bauchi State University. Ibrahim Umar (physicist) - professor of physics, 3rd vice chancellor Bayero University kano. Abubakar Sani Sambo - former director-general of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), former vice chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University. Mahmud Tukur - first vice chancellor Of Bayero University Kano, former minister of commerce and industry. Aisha Mahmoud Hamman - professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Haruna Musa - professor of chemistry, vice-chancellor Bayero University Kano. Abba Gumel - professor & The Michael and Eugenia Brin Endowed E-Nnovate Chair in Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics, University of Maryland. Fatimah Tuggar - professor of AI in Arts, University of Florida. Ibrahim Tahir - Nigerian sociologist, writer, and politician during the Second Republic and a prominent member of the Kaduna Mafia. Mahmud Modibbo Tukur – historian, author, Marxist and the 4th Academic Staff Union of Universities National President of ASUU. Jubril Aminu – former senator of Adamawa; Pioneer Cardiac Surgeon; former minister of education/petroleum and mineral resources, former president OPEC Conference. Yusufu Bala Usman – historian, writer, and Marxist.
Politicians and administrators Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Gere/Fulani) – Nigerian politician and the first prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Ahmadu Bello – Sardauna of Sokoto and first premier of Northern Region of Nigeria. Shehu Shagari – Turaki of Sokoto and the first elected president of Nigeria. Major-General Mohammadu Buhari – former president and former Head of State of Nigeria. Umaru Musa Yar'Adua – former president of Nigeria. Namadi Sambo - former vice president of Nigeria Aminu Kano – politician and teacher. Atiku Abubakar – former vice president of Nigeria. Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi – former governor of Kano State, politician. Rabiu Kwankwaso – former governor of Kano State, Nigeria, former minister of defence. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – former governor of Kano State, Nigeria. Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai – former governor of Kaduna State, former minister of federal capital. Isa Yuguda - economist, former Minister of Aviation, former governor of Bauchi State. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu – former governor of Kebbi State, Senate Second Republic, Nigeria. Sule Lamido – former governor of Jigawa State, Nigeria, former minister of foreign affairs. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko – former governor of Sokoto State and current senator of Sokoto North. Danbaba Suntai - former governor Of Taraba State. Dikko Umar Radda - Governor of Katsina State. Gidado Idris – former secretary to the Government of The Federation. Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu - former Inspector General of Police. Aisha Abubakar Abdulwahab - veterinary doctor, Police officer, First Female president of the Veterinary council of Nigeria, Assistant Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police. Lamido Yuguda - Former director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Deputy Governor Central Bank of Nigeria. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi - Former Kaduna State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Deputy Governor(Economic Policy) Central Bank of Nigeria. Abdulkadir Ahmed - economist, longest serving Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria between 1982 - 1993. Abubakar Koko - administrator, First Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja, planned and executed Nigeria's new capital, Sarkin Yakin Gwandu. Bello Maitama Yusuf - GCON, former minister of interior, Commerce, Social Welfare, Youth, Sports and Culture. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu - Executive secretary National Universities Commission (NUC), former VC Modibbo Adama Federal University of Technology, Yola. Hamza Rafindadi Zayyad - former managing director New Nigeria Development Company, former Head Of Nigeria Privatization Committee. Shamsudeen Usman - economist, former deputy governor (operations, Financial Stability) Central Bank of Nigeria, former minister of national planning, former minister of finance, former president Nigerian Economic society, Founder Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund (NSIA). Nuhu Ribadu – current national security adviser and pioneer executive chairman of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ibrahim Jalo - first indigenous full term to be Speaker of House of Representatives of Nigeria. Abubakar Alhaji - economist, former high commissioner to the United Kingdom, former Minister OF Finance and Planning, Sardauna of Sokoto. Abdullahi Dikko - economist, former Comptroller-General Of Nigeria Customs Service. Idi Mukhtar Maiha - former managing director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Minister of Livestock Development. Zainab Ahmed - Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, executive director of the World Bank. Adamu Bello - economist, former Minister Of Agriculture and Rural Development. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi - former Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund, former Kano SSG. Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi - Former managing director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Director General, Budget office of the Federation Suwaiba Ahmad - Minister of State for Education. Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta - former Inspector General of Police. Aisha Shehu Adamu - Medical Consultant, current Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo. Bashir Dalhatu - former Minister of Power and Steel, Interior. Wazirin Dutse. Bukhari Bello - former Executive Secretary of Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Babangida Nguroje - former Deputy Speaker Of the House Of Representatives. Aliyu Modibbo Umar – former Minister of State, Power and Steel (2002–2003), former Minister of Commerce and Industry (2006–2007), former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (2007–2008). Rilwanu Lukman- former Minister of Petroleum Resources and Mines, Power, Steel; and former secretary general OPEC. Maikanti Baru - engineer, former GMD Of NNPC Limited. Mohammed Bello-Koko - former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority Muhammed Babandede - former Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad - former managing director of Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency. M.T. Usman - former permanent secretary ministry of Works. Abubakar Dantsoho - Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Hamman Bello - former Comptroller- General Of Nigeria Customs Service. Musa Yar'Adua - Minister of Lagos Affairs 1960 -1966, Matawalle of the Katsina Emirate. Muhammadu Ribadu – first minister of defence after independence, founder of the Nigerian Defence Academy. Mansur Muhtar – economist, former Nigerian Federal minister of finance (2008 -2010), former director World Bank, presently vice chairman, Islamic Development Bank. Tajudeen Abbas - Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. Abubakar Olusola Saraki – (Fulani/Yoruba); former president of the Senate. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki – (Fulani/Yoruba); former Senator Kwara Central, current Minister of State. Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria. Aisha Dikko - former attorney general, commissioner of Justice Kaduna. Bukola Saraki – (Fulani/Yoruba); former president of the Nigerian Senate; former Governor of Kwara State and former Senator Kwara Central, Nigeria. Captain Muhammad Bala Shagari – politician, former Nigerian Army officer. Current Sarkin Mafaran Shagari and District Head of Shagari Local Government, Nigeria. Mohammed Bello (jurist) – jurist and statesman who was the chief justice of Nigeria from 1987 to 1995. Mohammed Uwais - jurist and former chief justice of Nigeria from 1995 to 2006. Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore - jurist and former chief justice of Nigeria from 2006 to 2007. Mahmud Mohammed - jurist and former chief justice of Nigeria from 2014 to 2016 Tanko Muhammad - jurist and former chief justice of Nigeria from 2019 to 2022. Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa - first female president of the Nigerian Courts of Appeal. Mamman Nasir - former justice of the Supreme Court, former president Of the Courts Of Appeal.