In Africa and some parts of the world, leadership is an inherent part of the human personality, and people demonstrate this quality in different ways.
The largest black continent has produced many remarkable African leaders and warriors who have made history and written their names in memory books. Before colonialism, the African continent subdivides into groups, and each group had its warrior, who was primarily its leader. Most of the African warriors were leaders of other groups known as tribes. They also used to rule their people all the time, including in times of war. The most renowned African leaders and warriors who have lived through history and achieved remarkable feats in their lifetimes include the following.
The below are among the many African warriors and chiefs in African history
1. Kwame Nkrumah
He became the first Prime Minister of Ghana and also served as president of the same country. He was an anti-colonialist and pan-Africanist in Africa.
He trains to be a teacher. He was the founder of the People’s Conference Party (CPP). He was imprisoned but was later released when the PPC won the 1951 elections to form a government. He believed strongly in the liberation of Africans. He created a one-party state in 1964 and became president. In 1966, he was dethroned by the military. He died in April 1972.
2. Ezana of Axum
He was the ruler of the kingdom in the name of Axumite of Eritrea. He succeeded his father, and when he was a child, he was known as Ella Amida. Ezana was the first ruler of the kingdom to accept Christianity. He established several military campaigns. He also erected several obelisks and structures.
3. Duse Mohamed Ali
He was one of the influential Pan-Africanists and a supporter of Islam. He was the founder of the African Times and the Oriental Review in 1911. His main goal was to spread the need for African nationalism. He was an actor and wrote many books for Africans.
4. Behanzin Hossu Bowelle (The Shark King)
He was the most powerful of the West African kings in the last years of the 19th century. He was the lord of the kingdom he reigned over. If he nodded his head, he meant the death or life of his subjects. He defeated the French expedition in 1890 and made them pay to use the port of Cotonou. Then, he was defeated in 1894 by Col. A. Dodds, Senegalese – European. He was sent to fight against him and was given powerful French armed forces. He died in 1906 in Algeria.
5. Cetshwayo KaMpande (Zulu king)
He was the hero of the war against Britain, and he brought about the most significant defeat the British had ever suffered against the Africans. When the British invaded Zululand, he outwitted them and killed the heir to the French throne, named Prince Napoleon. He was then caught and jailed. He died in February 1844.
6. Almamy Suluku
He was a mighty ruler and kept his independence for as long as possible. His kingdom was known as Biriwa. He became a war captain and made his kingdom one of the largest in Sierra Leone.
He enriched his kingdom by promoting the trade of food, skin, ivory, and gold. His name has been written in history as an influential African ruler.
7, King Ibrahim Njoya
Njoya’s reign began in the 14th century. He was to become the king of West Cameroon’s people, but he was not old enough to lead the people. Even after his maturity, he could not start because his father’s head was with enemies. According to Bamum’s ancestors’ tradition, skulls or heads were of ceremonial importance, so he had to retrieve his father’s head to start. He died at 73.
8. Ahmed Baba
His full name was Abu al-Abbas Ahmed al-Takrui Al-Massufi al-Tinbukti. He was a leader of the Songhai Empire, which ruled about two-thirds of West Africa. These areas are Niger, northern Nigeria, Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, Mauritania, and Mali. The empire collapsed following a European and Arab invasion in 1591. All the rulers, including him, were arrested and taken to the Sahara. He later died in 1627. He was also a West African writer, scholar, and political provocateur.
9. Steve Biko
Steve Biko is one of Africa’s most influential leaders and has been one of the founders of SASO (Association of South African Students) since his arrival among educated Africans. He was elected the organization’s first president. The main objective of SASO was to call out all black students to avoid being spectators and instead participate in the restoration of South Africa by its rightful owners. He was arrested and died on a cell floor in Pretoria central prison for his leadership skills.
10. Marcus Mosiah Garvey
He was among the most outstanding leaders Africans ever produced. Its main objective was the complete and utter liberation and redemption of Africans.
He was Africa’s most dynamic and best-known leader in the Western Hemisphere. In 1919 he founded an international shipping company under the name Black Star Line.
