Under the Hausa pre-colonial administration, the office of the Prime Minister is usually occupied by

Analyze the question: It asks which title-holder served as the "Prime Minister" in the pre-colonial Hausa political system (the Hausa city-states and, later, the Sokoto Caliphate).

Explain the concept: In the Hausa emirate system, the ruler (the Sarki, or Emir) was supported by a council of titled officials, each with a specific role:

• Sarki: the king or emir, the head of state, not the Prime Minister.
• Waziri: the chief adviser and head of the administration. He acted as the Prime Minister, and he also served as the link between the emir and the other officials. The title comes from the Arabic "wazir" (vizier).
• Galadima: the administrator of the capital city and of the western part of the emirate. Some accounts describe him as an important officer, but he was not the Prime Minister.
• Madawaki: the commander of the army, like a Chief of Army Staff or Commander-in-Chief.
• Others: the Magajin Gari (in charge of the town), the Sarkin Dogarai (head of the bodyguards), and the Sarkin Ruwa (in charge of water and fishing).

Solution:

1. The question asks for the Prime Minister, which means the chief executive officer under the ruler.
2. Sarki is the ruler himself, so A is out.
3. Madawaki is the military head, so D is out.
4. Galadima handled the capital and part of the territory, so C is out.
5. Waziri was the chief adviser and head of the bureaucracy, which matches the role of Prime Minister.

Answer: B. waziri

Exam tip: Match each title to its role:

• Waziri = Working head of government (Prime Minister)
• Madawaki = Military commander
• Sarki = Supreme ruler