In this fascinating account of Sabongari, Kano, Professor Baikie puts his life-long academic focus aside for a moment to give us a rare insight into how Sabongaris, not only in Kano, but in most northern cities like Kaduna, Zaria and Jos were founded. Professor Baikie is a product of the Sabongari phenomenon, born in one and raised in another. As he puts it himself, “I am fascinated by the concept which gave birth to the establishment of Sabongari in many cities of Northern Nigeria. Having myself been born in a Sabongari (Zaria) and grew up in another Sabongari (Kano), I was fired up, in the twilight of my life, to satisfy my curiosity and at the same time put down my experiences for the benefit of my children and those who may wish to know more about Sabongari.” What Professor Baikie has found fascinating about the establishment of Sabongari may have serious consequences for Nigeria especially at a time when there is so much disunity and division in our body politic where tribes are pitched against tribes; religion against religion, and region against region. How was it possible that disparate groups of people from virtually every tribe in Nigeria and from other West African countries, could live together in peace and harmony and build a progressive community in the north's most traditional of cities? Why did the Emir and the people of Kano welcome people from other regions, support the diversity of religions and gave Christian’s land to build their schools and churches? Perhaps we need to resurrect the spirit of the Sabongari experiment to see more clearly; perhaps the key to a better future lies in the past.