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Mai Deribe's Palace - A hidden gem in Borno state, Nigeria

Little is known of the hidden gem in North-eastern Nigeria that attracted kings, princes, prime ministers and heads of state back in its heyday. While the media talks about insurgency and terrorism in North-eastern Nigeria and discourages people from visiting for security reasons, let's shine a light on the more appealing aspects of the region by looking at its not-so widely portrayed architecture. 

Late Alhaji Mai Deribe's palace in Maiduguri city was constructed in the early 1980s and is said to have been built over a period of 10 years with parts of it constructed with liquid gold. During its prime, it was known as the most expensive dwelling in West Africa. It is expansive and a sight to behold with four apartments for his three wives and his mother. While the building's architectural influences are clear to see, the architect behind the palace remains unknown. Its simple and geometrically etched courtyards, fenestrations, exterior wall embellishments, as well as its richly crafted interior arches, wall calligraphies, coffered ceilings and royal furniture portray a mix of Arabic, Italian and Northern Nigerian cultures. 




While pictures do not do it as much justice as a real-life immersive visit would, a certain individual has taken the initiative of documenting the palace with impressionable pictures that can be found on his Twitter: @habu_bolori.







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  1. UMAR FAROUQ UMAR3 November 2020 at 09:51

    Amazing, So legends were true!!!

    A great architectural wonder, that depicts the beautiful life we live in AFRICA, Colourful and spiritual.
    Allah ya jikan Mai Daribe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous27 June 2022 at 23:02

    I know the architect, it was my father, a man called David Maney. I have all the construction photos and drawings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sound Unit8 January 2023 at 05:19

      Interesting. I would love to know more. How can you be reached?

      Delete
  3. Anonymous23 September 2024 at 18:09

    share the drawings for the palace if you said the Architect is your father.
    if not we need one architect to visit the palace and make a floor plan for this palace.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous6 May 2025 at 23:49

    I'm an architect too will like to be part of the construction thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8 May 2025 at 00:51

    Hello...this is a masterpiece..and great work that should be preserve for new generation...we will like to collaborate with folks that have iconic pictures of this Palace...our company makes jigsaw puzzles..we can help turn them to puzzles do thst young people will know about this place...@yourjigsawpuzzlesofficial on Instagram..Thanks everyone

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous8 May 2025 at 07:58

    l heard the place is abandoned and I ,am taken aback why this is the case.
    where are the family he left behind? The Borno State Government can acquire this place and make it a tourist attraction because it has the potentials of attracting tourists all over the world.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous12 May 2025 at 00:49

    Very cosy and serene. But then, all is vanity!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous24 May 2026 at 07:37

    Mr.Nilesh Rane (4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016 from a worth )- Photo as the ago of the rising at the Goa Police Headuarters,Age of Raped and Rate at the Goa Police Headquarters, Age of Education and Qualification at the Goa Police Headquarters, Qualification of Education of Emedation,at the Goa Police Headquarters, Date of wife by made the Chief of Nilesh Rane at the Goa Police Headquarters ,Whether NILESH RANE Staged from Goa Police as of the front GOA POLICE IN Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and other languages, as,as a public function or a private function by definitions (including the session and sexual and defuse and sexes), FOR NILESH RANE IN Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and other languages.Nilesh Rane took the phone,and take this phone, with Samir sardana and gake him win, and win his of Samir sardana
    in his on him and in his vain. The Nilesh Rane was a bustard,when a man who had, the juiced and toile,this juiced of Samir.(and then was juices of chancing Samir)

    Mr.Nilesh Rane (4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016 from a worth ) was laid, of the 5 free of cards (like Mr Nilesh Rane, Mr.Satish LAKDADA ,Mr.Raia or Raya Naik (ATS Goa) and the NIA Abuse Female Company and 1 more most of the ATS ),who joined as 2 weeking, from 4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016 from a worth , at ended between, from 8pm to 8:30 pm, of end very, to assures and abuses,the Samir Sardana. After the NIA Abuse Female Company, because that the bused , with that shat, he was shot (like Mr Nilesh Rane, Mr.Satish LAKDADA ,Mr.Raia or Raya Naik (ATS Goa) and 1 more most of the ATS ), that witting that, the 4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016 , and 8pm to 8:30 pm. NIA Abuse Female Company abuses and abuse the SAMIR SARDANA abuse and abusing.(from the 4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016). NIA Abuse Female Company they were a ban and abuses to try to tick the bases.Between from 1st and 7th of February 2016 this vid Mr Nilesh Rana is add Samir Sardana, for Rs 2 lacs as pay off, but which as off.Nilesh Rane took the phone,and take this phone, with Samir sardana and gake him win, and win his of Samir sardana in his on him and in his vain.

    Mr.Nilesh Rane (4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016 from a worth ) and 1 more most of the ATS,was abuses the end and warded, the end of Samir Sardana, which Samir abuses the end of Samir, from at the end of Samir end, at the end at the 8pm to 8:30 pm (uses the Backed),end also ended the end of Mr.Satish LAKDADA and Mr.Raia or Raya Naik (ATS Goa). Mr.Satish LAKDADA and Mr.Raia or Raya Naik (ATS Goa) has abuses and assess Samir Sardana and abuses the mothers of the NIA Abuse Female Company, and also abuses the both of Samir,abuses Samir uses has abused ,the feet and kicked the beet. (4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016 from a worth). Mr.Nilesh Rane and 1 more most of the ATS, has been using the matching ,the operating on the Mr.Satish LAKDADA and Mr.Raia or Raya Naik,and worth of these and the NIA Abuse Female Company ,and the Deats of these.Nilesh Rane took the phone,and take this phone, with Samir sardana and gake him win, and win his of Samir sardana in his on him and in his vain.

    Mr.Nilesh Rane (4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016 from a worth ) and 1 more most of the ATS,based used the web at the end , and what the wind, in the Samir sardana (when Samir abuse, about in the end).Even the NIA Company,abuses the end of the ,ensure of Samir Sardana ,was the end of Samir.Mr.Satish LAKDADA and Mr.Raia or Raya Naik (ATS Goa) , has abuses and assess, Samir Sardana and abuses the mothers,in the 4-2-2016 to 6-2-2016 and 8pm to 8:30 pm. They are prospitute and prostitues.Nilesh Rane took the phone,and take this phone, with Samir sardana and gake him win, and win his of Samir sardana
    in his on him and in his vain.

    ReplyDelete

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