Askia the Great

Muhammad Toure later called Askia Muhammad I /Askia the Great, was an emperor, military commander, and political reformer of the Songhai Empire in the late 15th century, the successor of Sunni Ali Ber after Ber’s son refused to take on become Muslim and take on the title. Askia Muhammad I took the throne and under his rule , the Songhay Empire rapidly expanded. He strengthened his empire and made it the largest in West Africa's history.
At its peak under Muhammad, the Songhai Empire encompassed the Hausa states as far as Kano (in present-day Nigeria) and much of the territory that had belonged to the Songhai empire in the west. His policies resulted in a rapid expansion of trade with Europe and Asia, the creation of many schools, and made Islam an integral part of the empire. The period of Muhammad’s rule is known as a Golden age for Muslim scholarship at Sankore University in Timbuktu
Though in 1528 his son Askia Monzo Musa deposed his father taking over the throne. In written text, Muhammad Toure’s reign is marked by love for war and respect for Islam.