At the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, a revolutionary movement arose in Hausaland (now part of northern Nigeria) that was to have a profound influence on the subsequent history of the area. At its centre was a man who bore the Hausa name Shehu Usuman dan Fodio - the Shaikh 'Uthman, son of Fodio. The movement he led, and the successful jihad, or holy war, he fought to reform Islam in Hausaland, brought about significant changes in Africa.