Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar Maliki, better known as Maliki Showman, was born in Auchi in the present Edo State of Nigeria in 1940. Maliki attended St. John’s Secondary School now Rimi College Kaduna. He started his music career with Olowookere and his Noble Brothers Band, Kaduna where he played the bongo an instrument. He also played for the Jos-based group the Universal Dandies led by Lord Edison Bell. Suleiman was greatly influenced by Baby Face Paul Asamade and late Chile Etare both great Saxophonists who actually brushed up Maliki on the instrument. He had musical tints with Easy Kabaka a famous Guitarist, Central Band led by Eric Onuoha, the Nigerian doyen of Highlife Bobby Benson, Bala Miller, Rex Jim Lawson, Sonny Brown, and Victor Uwaifo where he featured in the recording of the evergreen record Guitar Boy. He produced many records to his credit among which are Aiyegbeni, Opanosorode, Maduduogene (we beg God to forgive our sins) and a Yoruba top hit Bolanle. Late Maliki earned his appellation ‘Showman’ from his agility, versatility from his statesmanship.
He was a master performer and a great delight to watch on stage. Maliki passed on, on Saturday 29th May 2010, exactly 5 weeks aftermath of a hit and run accident that occurred at the Maryland area of Lagos.