One of the greatest warriors ever to emerge from Africa in the sixteenth century was Queen Amina of Zazzau. Like the great Nzingha of Angola, Queen Amina’s leadership skills were discovered early by her grandfather who allowed her to attend state meetings. Her mother, the Queen Bakwa of Turunku, an influential political figure in Amina’s hometown equally noticed Amina’s military acumen and promised to raise her to become a future queen. But, she surpassed all expectations; she did not only remove all obstacles to her nation’s direct access to the Atlantic...