The cities of Timbuktu, Agadez, Kano, and Katsina are among the most important centers through which Arab-Islamic culture spread in the region. The fifteenth and sixteenth centuries AD witnessed the flourishing of Arab-Islamic literature and sciences during the era of the Songhai Empire, located in the region between the Niger and Senegal rivers, where many scholars emerged who contributed with their writings to the spread of Arab-Islamic culture in West Africa.

In the city of Timbuktu, the cultural capital of the Songhai Empire (present-day Mali), many scholars emerged who authored works on language, literature, religion, and history. Among the most famous is Sheikh Ahmed Baba al-Timbukti, who wrote several books on history, Sharia, and Arabic language and literature. Among his works are "Kitab Nil al-Ibtihaj bi-Tatrizi al-Dibaj," which he appended to the book "al-Dibaj" by Ibn Farhun al-Maliki, and he also wrote "Kifayat al-Muhtaj," "Mi'raj al-Su'ud," and other books.

Among the scholars who worked to spread Arab-Islamic sciences in West Africa during the era of the Songhai Empire was Sheikh Mahmud ibn Muhammad al-Kati al-Karmuni, author of the book "Tarikh al-Fattash," on the history of the Mali and Songhai states. Among them also is Sheikh Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah al-Sa'di, author of "Tarikh al-Sudan," on the history of the Islamic Songhai state.

Among the most famous cities during this period was also the city of Agadez. It contributed to the spread of Arab-Islamic culture in the Agadez region of Niger and beyond, and it was also home to many scholars who authored works on various Arab-Islamic sciences. Among the most famous scholars is Sheikh al-Aqib ibn Abd Allah al-Ansmani al-Agadesi, who studied under Sheikh Abd al-Karim al-Maghili, who settled in Agadez and opened a Quranic school in 1479 AD to teach religious and Arabic sciences.

Arab-Islamic culture also flourished in the Kanem and Bornu kingdoms, located in present-day Nigeria, in the sixteenth century AD. Among its most famous scholars is Sheikh Ahmed Forto al-Barnawi, who wrote a book on the history of Bornu and another book on the biography of the Sultan of Bornu, Idris Alooma. Both books are considered important sources for the history of Kanem and Bornu in the sixteenth century.