 Maccido served in many functions of government during his life and served most prominently as the liaison to Nigerian President Shehu Shagari (rule 1979–1983) until a military coup removed Shagari from power.When his father died in 1988, the head of the military government in Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida appointed Ibrahim Dasuki (rule 1985–1993) as the new Sultan of Sokoto, a decision which caused large-scale, violent protests throughout northern Nigeria.In 1996, Sani Abacha (1993–1998), a later Nigerian military dictator, deposed Dasuki and named Maccido the new Sultan.