The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has accused Nigeria’s political elite of deliberately holding the country back through selfish and self-serving leadership.
Sanusi made the remarks on Saturday in Lagos while speaking at the 15th anniversary celebration of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria. He said Nigeria continues to lose vital opportunities for growth because many leaders see public office as personal property rather than a responsibility to the people.
According to the former Central Bank governor, national development has suffered because political leaders often put their personal and family interests ahead of the collective good.
“We have done enough damage, and maybe we need to stop,” Sanusi said. “These are not just missed opportunities; in many cases, they are deliberately missed. People behave as if public office belongs to them and their families, when it actually belongs to the citizens.”
He urged young Nigerians to reject what he described as a dysfunctional system built over decades of poor leadership, and to work towards a united country with a clear national purpose.
Sanusi warned that Nigeria cannot progress under a structure sustained by ethnic divisions, religious tensions and the pursuit of personal gain.
“The nation does not belong to the government or politicians,” he said. “It belongs to all of us as citizens.”
He stressed that Nigerians must collectively take responsibility for shaping the country’s future by defining a shared vision different from the one imposed by self-interested leaders.
“We own this country, and wherever we find ourselves, we must play our part,” Sanusi added. “Only a united people, committed to the national interest, can unlock Nigeria’s true potential.”
