The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has strongly condemned the continued glorification of corrupt public figures in Nigeria.
He alleged that the individuals known to have stolen public funds should not be rewarded with ministerial appointments or any other public office.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Sanusi warned that the nation’s future is at stake if values such as honesty and integrity continue to be undermined.
“The entire value system of the country has been eroded,” Sanusi declared.
“They see thieves, not leaders” — Emir Sanusi
According to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Nigeria is stuck in a dangerous cycle where wealth, regardless of how it is obtained, is respected more than character.
“We don’t have a sense of disgust for people who hold public office and amass wealth; we reward them with appointments, with more public offices, and more opportunities to amass wealth, and this is what Nigeria has become.”
He lamented that many public servants lack both moral grounding and legacy-building mindset.
“We have been ruled by people who have no values; they have no name behind them, and they have no desire to leave a name after them… They define themselves by what they own—houses, private jets, billions in bank accounts.”
Leaders, citizens both guilty of moral decay
The monarch stressed that the erosion of values is not limited to the leadership class but extends to society at large.
He said a full regeneration of values is needed and must be driven collectively by leaders and citizens.
“It is not about one person, the president or the governors, or the ministers cannot on their own change this country.”
Calls for civil service reforms
Reflecting on the late Murtala Muhammed, Emir Sanusi emphasized the need to restore the integrity of Nigeria’s civil service.
He blamed politicians for undermining the system and called for reforms that would empower civil servants to stand against unethical political pressure.
“Nigeria needs to go back to strengthening the system to embolden civil servants to say ‘no’ when asked by politicians to break the rules,” he said.
EMIR Sanusi urged Nigerians to return to core values like honesty, diligence, and compassion, warning that unless the nation realigns with such principles, corruption will continue to shape leadership and governance.
