He was one of 138 signatories of the open letter
A Common Word Between Us and You by leaders of
Islam to leaders of
Christian churches everywhere. Sulu Gambari became the 11th Emir of Ilorin on August 28, 1995, and was crowned on November 11, 1995, as he relinquished his position as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal,
Lagos Division. During the reign of his father Shehu Zulkarnaini Muhammadu Gambari (1959-1992), Kwara State College of Technology now
Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin,
Kwara state College of Education, Ilorin and the
University of Ilorin were founded. During his reign, tertiary institutions increased with the establishment of
Al-Hikmah University,
Kwara State University, Malete and
Muhyideen College of Education, Ilorin among other private and government-owned establishments across the state such as
International Aviation College and the Advanced Diagnostic Centre. He initiated the renovation of Ilorin Central Mosque (constructed by his late father in 1979) to become a world class edifice. Until he was redeployed to the
University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, the Emir had held sway as the
Chancellor of the
Nnamdi Azikiwe University,
Awka,
Anambra State for 14 years (2001-2015). On March 2, 2024,
Bayero University Kano installed him as the fifth Chancellor of the institution. During his 11th coronation anniversary in 2006, the Emir turbaned 11 personalities as traditional title holders in the community, prominent among whom are;
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Turaki’n Ilorin) and a legal luminary who is his eldest son, Barrister Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari (Ciroma’n Ilorin). Sulu-Gambari was a delegate to the most recent constitutional conference where he contributed to the national discuss. He founded the Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development with 11-man Committee and made Sheikh Dr. AbdulKadir Oba-Solagberu its National President. He is currently the Chairman of the
Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council ==References==