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 ascended to power after his father Ahmad, a seasoned and blind Mai who surrendered following the Fulani uprising's capture of Ngazargamu. In this context, the elderly Mai Dunama collaborated with Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi to counter the Fulani through verbal and military means.