Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called out Nigeria’s political leaders, saying the country keeps losing big opportunities because those in power run public office like it’s their family business.
Sanusi, speaking in Lagos at the 15th anniversary event of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, said many leaders don’t care about national development only themselves, their families, and their inner circle.
According to him, that’s the main reason Nigeria stays stuck.
“We miss opportunities because too many people in public office think it’s about them, their families, and their close friends — not about the country,” he said.
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Sanusi added that Nigeria’s system has been built on ethnic rivalry, religious fights and leaders chasing personal gain, instead of focusing on what will move the country forward.
He told young people to stop accepting the “broken Nigeria” they met and start building a better one.
“We own this country and wherever we find ourselves, we must remember that we are holding one small part of Nigeria and we have a duty to do what we must, to contribute our own quota to this country.
“What we need to do is try to come together and articulate a clear and achievable ideological position, a vision for what kind of Nigeria we want to have.
“And it has to be a Nigeria different from the Nigeria that has been manufactured for us, a Nigeria of ethnic rivalries, religious conflicts, race seeking, competition for aggrandizement.
“It has to be a country that realises its potential in the committee of nations,” he added.
Sanusi urged Nigerian youths to unite, forget the divisions pushed by politicians and come up with a clear vision of the kind of country they want, a Nigeria different from the one created by selfish leaders.
He said real change will only happen when citizens take ownership and push for a country that works for everyone, not just a select few.