Dunama succeeded his father Ahmad, an old and blind Mai who abdicated after the Fulani Jihad resulted in the capture of Ngazargamu. Mai Dunama enlisted the support of Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi, to counter the Fulani in word and battle.
Dunama took over from his father Ahmad, a veteran and blind Mai who stepped down after the Fulani rebellion seized Ngazargamu. In response, the elderly Mai Dunama sought the assistance of Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi to counter the Fulani through diplomacy and warfare.