At the 60th birthday celebration of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, held in Abuja on Saturday, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, issued a grim warning about Nigeria’s escalating security crisis.
Speaking with urgency, Sanusi declared that the nation is no longer on the verge of collapse—it is already entrenched in it.
“We are living with bandits and Boko Haram; we are already there,” the former Central Bank Governor stated. “We are already in crisis; it has already happened. The question is how do we get out of it.”
Sanusi highlighted the stark reality that insurgents and criminal elements now coexist openly with civilians in many Nigerian communities. His comments underscore the dire state of national security, particularly in northern regions where violent extremism has taken root.
Beyond security, Sanusi drew a direct connection between Nigeria’s leadership failures and the country’s deepening poverty. He criticized the elite for remaining disconnected from the suffering of millions, stressing that multi-dimensional poverty continues to drive unrest and instability.
Known for his frank public commentary, Sanusi reiterated themes he has long emphasized: that Nigeria’s challenges are systemic, and that the solution requires honest acknowledgment and decisive action from those in power.
His remarks serve as a sobering reminder that the time for warnings has passed—what remains is a national imperative to act. As Nigeria grapples with the intersecting crises of insecurity and poverty, Sanusi’s message calls on leaders to confront reality and urgently pursue strategies to restore peace and stability.
