Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has accused Nigeria’s political elite of deliberately stalling national progress by treating public office as a private family business.
Speaking at the 15th anniversary of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria in Lagos, Sanusi said the country’s stagnation stems from leadership that prioritises personal gain over public welfare.
“We have people who think public office is about themselves, their families and their close allies,” he said, noting that many national opportunities are intentionally squandered.
Sanusi, a former Central Bank Governor, urged young Nigerians to reject the entrenched system of division, patronage and self-interest, and instead claim ownership of the country’s future.
He called on youths to unite beyond ethnic or religious lines and craft a new ideological roadmap capable of lifting Nigeria out of its recurring cycles of failure. According to him, Nigeria must rebuild itself around equity, citizen-driven governance, and national cohesion.
“The nation belongs to us, not the government and not the politicians,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria must abandon the model built on rivalry and greed, insisting that a truly united citizenry can drive the country toward global competitiveness.
