The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said his experience on the throne opened his eyes to the true and harsh realities of poverty in Nigeria, something he never fully understood until he became Emir.
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He made this known on Saturday during a public lecture in Abuja held to mark the 60th birthday of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
The event, themed “Weaponization of poverty as a means of underdevelopment: A case study of Nigeria,” brought together prominent political figures and public policy experts to discuss the persistent poverty in the country.
Sanusi noted that while many elites in Nigeria are aware of poverty through statistics and reports, they often remain disconnected from the daily suffering experienced by the poor. His time on the throne exposed him to the harsh realities of life in rural communities, where people struggle to meet basic needs.
He expressed concern over the widening gap between the privileged and the underprivileged, pointing out that development projects in Nigeria are often concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural communities neglected. He called for more empathy in governance and urged leaders to rethink their priorities.
Other speakers at the event echoed similar concerns. Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, lamented that Nigerians continue to elect leaders who are more interested in acquiring power than in addressing the country’s challenges. He warned that this trend undermines meaningful progress.
Also speaking at the lecture, Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), attributed Nigeria’s widespread poverty to corruption and poor governance. He said the country’s development is being held back by leaders who serve their own interests rather than the needs of the people.
Yusuf stressed the need for responsible citizenship, urging Nigerians to hold leaders accountable and vote for those who have the will and capacity to bring about real change.
