From Palaces To Poverty: Sanusi Reveals Harsh Reality Of Emir Life

The Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Muhammadu Sanusi II, has disclosed that he only came to grasp the true reality of poverty in Nigeria after assuming the throne as a traditional ruler.

Sanusi made this revelation in Abuja on Saturday during a public lecture titled “Weaponisation of Poverty as a Means of Underdevelopment: A Case Study of Nigeria,” organized in honour of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Addressing the disconnect between Nigeria’s elite and the harsh living conditions in rural areas, Sanusi remarked:
“Many members of Nigeria’s elite have no real understanding of poverty. As an economist and former CBN Governor, I saw the statistics—but it wasn’t until I became an Emir that I witnessed it firsthand. In rural communities, people drink from polluted sources, live in dilapidated homes, and study in roofless classrooms.”

He criticized the government’s development agenda, accusing leaders of favouring infrastructure projects in urban centres while neglecting the basic needs of rural populations.

“Do we truly care for the people, or do we merely enjoy ruling over them?” Sanusi questioned.
“We build overhead bridges and underpasses in cities, yet people in villages can’t even access healthcare. We are in a state of crisis. The real issue now is: how do we get out of it?”

He urged those in power to lead with empathy, emphasizing that genuine leadership begins with understanding and responding to the suffering of the populace.

Also speaking at the event, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai decried the recurring trend of Nigerians electing leaders who lack the competence to govern.
“We keep electing people who know how to seize power but are clueless about governance,” El-Rufai stated bluntly.

Adding to the discussion, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, pointed out that many hospital cases arise not from medical issues but from social and economic hardships. He attributed Nigeria’s worsening poverty to widespread corruption and poor governance.