(i). Centralisation of authority and Hierarchy in governance; The Emir was the head of government. He was assisted by appointed chiefs. E.g. Madawaki, Galadima, Waziri.
(ii).Payment of tributes to sustain administration: There were rates paid by the people for land, property and cattle.
(iii).The size of the Emirate system was large: The emirate occupied a large expanse of land with many populations.
(iv).Stratification: The Hausa/ Fulani society was segmented into upper, middle and lower classes, and the Talakawas.
(v). Army: Every emirate kept a standing army under the control of Madawaki.
(vi). The judiciary: The emirate judicial system was based on the sharia laws headed by Alkali and the Emir's court was the highest court.
(vii). Rulership was for life.
(viii). Succession to the throne was hereditary.
(ix). The political system was based on theocracy e.g. Islamic religion.
(x). Emirs were empowered to make laws where Islamic laws were silent.
(xi) Emirs were empowered to pronounce death sentence on defaulters.
(xii). There was regularised system of taxation in operation.
(xiii). Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers were concentrated on the Emir.