The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has lamented that Nigeria has for decades been burdened with weak and incompetent leadership, which he described as a major obstacle to the nation’s progress.
Speaking on Saturday at the second edition of the Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST), organised by the Creative Wednesday Initiative, the monarch stressed that governance remains the critical factor in Nigeria’s recovery and development.
“You rise and fall with the quality of your leadership, and Nigeria has had lousy leadership for a long time,” Sanusi said. “In most parts of this country, you look at the people leading you and wonder, How did we end up here? We waste time on petty issues while other nations are discussing artificial intelligence and climate change.”
Sanusi lamented that Nigerians are still trapped in divisive conversations about religion and ethnicity, decades after independence. He urged citizens especially the youth to demand better leadership and to take active steps toward reclaiming the country from those who have mismanaged it for years.
“The young people have the power to retire the old guard and take over, if only they choose to act,” he declared.
On the economy, Sanusi defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidy, noting that the policy was unsustainable and had long drained national revenue. He argued that billions spent on consumption subsidies should have been invested in building refineries within Nigeria.
“If we had acted in 2012, Nigeria would not be in this situation today,” he noted. “You cannot keep borrowing to pay subsidies while your economy collapses.”
