Emir Sanusi delivers a shocking message about Nigeria’s current state at a public event. The warning touches on terrorism, poverty, and national leadership. Read full story.
…says elites are blind to poverty, leadership has failed
In what many have described as a wake-up call to the Nigerian political elite, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has dropped a chilling verdict on the state of the nation, warning that Nigeria is no longer on the verge of crisis but fully engulfed in it.
Speaking during the 60th birthday celebration of former Rivers State Governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Emir Sanusi painted a grim picture of the country’s security and economic situation. According to the revered Islamic scholar and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the idea that Nigeria is approaching crisis is misleading — the country, he insists, is already neck-deep in it.
“For all those who are saying we have to be careful before we get into a crisis, please wake up,” Sanusi thundered.
“We are living with bandits and Boko Haram; we are already there. We are already in crisis, it has already happened. The question is how do we get out of it.”
Sanusi’s statement sent shockwaves through the high-profile audience and has continued to trigger national debate, as it directly contradicts the rhetoric from various levels of government that have often downplayed the security and poverty challenges confronting the nation.
In a scathing critique of Nigeria’s ruling class, the Emir lamented the deep disconnect between the elites and the harsh realities of millions of ordinary Nigerians. He said the ruling elite are either blind to or deliberately ignoring the multi-dimensional poverty ravaging the masses.
“We have created an elite that is completely detached from the people. The poor are getting poorer, yet our leaders behave as if all is well. We’re failing to listen,” Sanusi stated.
The former apex bank governor who was controversially removed from office during the Goodluck Jonathan administration and later deposed as Emir under the Buhari-led regime, has remained one of the most vocal critics of poor governance, systemic corruption, and socio-economic injustice in Nigeria.
Sanusi noted that the threat posed by terrorists, bandits, and insurgents has now become an accepted part of daily life for millions of Nigerians, particularly in the North, yet the political establishment has continued to act with indifference and denial.
“There is no safe zone anymore. What we are seeing is the collapse of state authority in many places. When terrorists are more powerful than local government structures, when schools are shut down and communities are displaced, then it is clear we are already at war — even if undeclared,” he stressed.
Sanusi’s comments have been widely interpreted as a challenge to the current political order and a clarion call to urgent action, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections. Many Nigerians on social media have expressed support for his boldness in confronting uncomfortable truths.
Analysts say Sanusi’s message is not only a warning but a reflection of the frustrations and hopelessness of a people who have long been abandoned by those in power. The former CBN boss has once again reinforced his position as one of the few prominent voices willing to speak truth to power, regardless of the consequences.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising food prices, mass unemployment, persistent kidnappings, and widespread fear, Sanusi’s words have reignited a national conversation that may be too loud for the leadership to ignore any longer.




