Askia Muhammad was a prominent ruler of the Songhai Empire in West Africa during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He is best known for expanding the empire to its greatest territorial extent and for promoting trade, culture, and education. His reign marked a period of prosperity and stability, making Timbuktu a center of learning and commerce. He was originally named Muhammad Ture and became the emperor after overthrowing the previous ruler, Sonni Ali. Askia Muhammad implemented a system of administration that included appointed governors and established Islamic law, which helped to unify the diverse regions of his empire.