At the 60th birthday celebration of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Port Harcourt, the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, issued a stark and sobering message about the state of the nation. According to the former Central Bank Governor, Nigeria is no longer on the brink of crisis — the country is already in the middle of one.
Sanusi pointed to the disturbing reality that many Nigerians are now forced to coexist with bandits and Boko Haram insurgents. He stressed that the urgent question is no longer if a crisis will happen, but how the country can emerge from the one it’s already deeply trapped in.
Calling out the nation’s political and economic elite, Sanusi accused them of detachment from the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens. He noted that while many leaders live in comfort and denial, the vast majority of Nigerians suffer from extreme poverty, insecurity, and hopelessness.
“People are dying every day, communities are being displaced, and yet many of those in power are blind to the urgency of the situation,” he said.
The former emir’s remarks struck a chord across the nation, prompting renewed debate on Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges. He emphasized the need for honest national dialogue, responsible leadership, and policy reforms focused on security, equity, and long-term development.
Sanusi concluded with a call to action: the time for cosmetic solutions has passed — Nigeria must confront its realities head-on, or risk irreversible decline.
