Aliyu Musdafa, the 11th Lamido of Adamawa, ascended the throne in 1953, 147 years after the founding of the emirate by Modibbo Adama in 1806. A direct descendant of Modibbo Adama, Aliyu Musdafa has now ruled for 54 years stretching over Modibbo Adama's reign of 42 years, which until now, was the longest in the Fombina dynasty.

The royal family traces its roots to the emigration of the Fulbe from Damaturu in Bornu in the 14th century following their ejection by the Kanuri. Fulbe clans, including the Ba'en to, which Modibbo Adama belonged, entered Adamawa region through the Yedzaram valley. About 500 years later when the Fulbe led the jihad in this part of the Upper Benue region, Modibbo Adama established an emirate as a constituent of the Sokoto Caliphate. Being the first ruler and flag bearer of the emirate, Modibbo Adama was called Lamido Fombina or Amir ul Yamani both meaning "Lord of the South" in reference to the location of the emirate south of Sokoto, seat of Usman Dan Fodio's caliphate. But Modibbo Adama chose to be called “Modibbo,” the learned one, instead of the title, Lamido, which had more political connotation than religious.

Among those Lamibe (plural of Lamido) who succeeded the throne of Adamawa, the bloodline of Lamido Aliyu Musdafa produced four emirs. His father, Lamido Muhammadu Musdafa, ruled for eighteen years; while his grand-father, Abba, spent 14 years on the throne. His great grand father, Bobbo Ahmadu, ruled for eight years at the beginning of British rule in 1901.

Lamido Aliyu Musdafa was born in Yola in 1922. He received his education at Yola Elementary School and Yola Middle School (1936-1943). He started work at the Adamawa Native Authority in 1943 and was appointed the Chief of Police in Adamawa Province in 1945 with the title of Wali. After eight years of supervising the force, Aliyu Musdafa was selected as Lamido following the deposition of Lamido Ahmadu Maigari. His appointment took effect from July 26, 1953.