The 14th Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Muhammadu Sanusi II, has delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s political elite, asserting that many leaders treat public office not as an opportunity to serve the nation, but as a “family enterprise” used for personal enrichment and self-definition.
Sanusi, renowned for his outspoken commentary on governance, made the remarks while lamenting the severe erosion of the country’s value system.
Sanusi’s criticism focuses on a lack of moral foundation and a poor value system among many contemporary Nigerian public office holders.
He stated bluntly that public office is an opportunity to serve, not to make money. He argued that many individuals who enter governance today do so for the “wrong reasons” because they lack the proper upbringing that instills values like honesty and integrity.
The former CBN Governor lamented that the entire value system of the country has been corrupted. Leaders now define themselves by what they own, citing examples like “billions and private jets.”
Sanusi stressed that citizens, seeing the extravagant lifestyles of their leaders, inevitably view them as “thieves who have stolen common wealth,” leading to a complete breakdown of trust in the system.
Sanusi’s recent commentary extends beyond mere corruption to question the competence and capacity of the nation’s leadership.
In other recent addresses, Sanusi stated that Nigeria is staffed with “lousy leaders” who lack the requisite competence to deliver meaningful transformation for the country.
He lamented that while the rest of the world is discussing modern issues like Artificial Intelligence and climate change, Nigerian leaders remain preoccupied with “antiquated debates” around ethnicity, religion, and regionalism, issues that were relevant in the 1960s.
Sanusi has consistently warned that the continuous abuse of principles like the Federal Character and Quota System has created a scenario where zones often impose incompetent candidates, thus hijacking national offices and ensuring that the nation does not get to choose its best and brightest.
Sanusi’s views serve as a continuous demand for a fundamental regeneration of values across Nigeria’s political and traditional leadership structures.
