This was a very popular question but only a few candidates could identify the correct names of the Shehu of the period. The part (b) of the question was poorly attempted by many candidates and failed to develop the points properly. For example, the roles of Rabeh, Elkanemi and the European powers in the eventual collapse of Borno were not given adequate attention despite candidates’ recognition and listing of those points.
In order to score good marks in this question, the candidates were expected to list these names in part (a) and explain the following points in part (b) of the question:

             (a)          (i)     Shehu Muhammad Elkanemi;
                           (ii)     Shehu Umar;
                           (iii)    Shehu Abubakar (Abu Bukar) Garbai ; etc.

(b)        (i)         The struggle for power between the Shuwa and Kanuri people in Borno caused a division that eventually led to the decline of the empire  
            (ii)        Borno lost its trade to Sokoto in the West and the control of the Eastern trans-Saharan trade routes which was the bedrock of the empire’s greatness was also lost;
            (iii)       the peasants were neglected and the dynasty made more demands on the meager resources of the poor;
            (iv)       increased corrupt practices of state officials;

(v)       the emergence of Rabeh, etc.