The Jobawa were reportedly the first Fula people to make contact with the central Sudan, thus sparking the possibility of them being a Pre-Tengualla
Fulani migration from the primordial Fula body. At some point during the 14th century, the Jobawa emerged as a power in the East of the
Sultanate of Kano and shortly afterward became the natural heirs to the Makama of Kano. (an office they still hold to this day). On learning the reputation of Shehu
Usman dan Fodio, Malam Umaru, a Fulani of Waijobe stock took his daughter Habiba to the Shehu's home at
Degel in North Western
Gobir and asked the Shehu to accept his daughter as a pupil, when the Shehu agreed Habiba immediately asked if he would also consent to teach her younger brother Ahmadu, who later acquired the lakabi or nick name Malam Bakatsine, the Shehu is said to have replied in Fulfulde ja ba do meaning your wish is granted, in order to honour this event the issues of Malam Umaru are called Jobawa, the Muallimawa dynasty is a sub-clan of the Jobawa. During the reign of Sarkin Kano
Aliyu Babba he appointed Sarkin Takai Umaru Dan Maisaje as Makaman Kano, his link with the Jobawa is traced through his father's mother Habiba, the sister of Malam Bakatsine, in making the appointment the traditional requisite of being an agnatic descendant was not considered, the action resulted in a precedence being established for Jobawa descendants with paternal or maternal links to aspire to be appointed as Makaman Kano. ==Jihad period==