Nigerian Leaders Are Lousy and Incompetent — Sanusi
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has obtained by experience a blunt verdict on Nigeria’s leadership, describing the nation as:
“Overrun by incompetent figures who lack the vision and skill to transform this country.”
Speaking on Saturday at the second edition of the Kano International Poetry Festival, organised by Poetic Wednesdays in Kano, Sanusi told PulseNets:
“A nation’s fortunes rise and collapse with the calibre of its leaders, and for decades, Nigeria has been saddled with inept leadership. You simply cannot offer what you do not possess. Until we scrutinise those we entrust with power, we will keep repeating our mistakes.”
The respected monarch reported that Nigeria has suffered an extended drought of quality governance. Stressing that meaningful progress hinges on effective administration, he added:
“Honestly, good governance is the anchor that can salvage Nigeria. In several parts of this country, when you observe those at the helm, you ask yourself, dear God, is this truly our leader? How on earth did we get here? You witness it daily in the headlines.”
Sanusi sharply contrasted Nigeria’s priorities with those of forward-looking nations. While others are innovating in artificial intelligence, climate change, and technology, he said, Nigeria remains trapped in stale arguments. He spoke to PulseNets, emphasising:
“Look at the news. Watch the legislature. The debates we’re stuck in, the trivial arguments, the sheer waste of precious time on irrelevant issues—it’s astonishing. We’re still quarrelling over Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, North versus South, Muslim versus Christian. These are conversations frozen in the 1960s, yet around the globe, nations are tackling artificial intelligence, technology, and climate crises.”
Turning to economic policy, Sanusi defended President Bola Tinubu’s controversial decision to remove fuel subsidies, arguing that Nigeria’s financial health demanded it. He learnt from past patterns that subsidising fuel was a dangerous path:
“Subsidising consumption was never viable.”
He elaborated further:
“If you calculate the billions squandered on subsidies and imagine that money invested in our own refineries, we wouldn’t be enriching European refiners while our economy bled. I hold no grudge against subsidies on production, but paying for consumption subsidies was reckless. By now, Nigeria would be bankrupt if Tinubu hadn’t acted.”
Sanusi reminded Nigerians that he had sounded this alarm years ago:
“Had we taken decisive steps back in 2012, today’s hardship would be less severe. People ask why I am silent now. What is there to say? This is precisely the outcome I warned of—when government revenues cannot cover subsidies, borrowing becomes the only desperate option.”
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With his remarks, the Emir once again positioned himself as a fearless voice challenging complacency, urging citizens and policymakers to abandon outdated divisions and confront Nigeria’s pressing realities.
