A major similarity of the 19th century jihads in West Africa was that

The major similarity of the 19th century jihads in West Africa was that they had a common objective. The jihads, which were religiously inspired movements, sought to establish Islamic states and reform the political, social, and economic systems of the societies in which they occurred. Led by charismatic leaders, the jihads were characterized by the use of force to achieve their objectives, and their impact was felt in different parts of West Africa, including Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, and Niger.