The 16th Emir of Kano, His Highness Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, has strongly criticized the prevailing culture of rewarding corrupt individuals with political appointments and national honours.
He condemned a system where individuals who have embezzled public funds are not held accountable but instead are elevated to prestigious positions such as ministers or senators.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Dr. Sanusi lamented the moral decay within Nigeria’s political system. According to him, many of those currently occupying public office lack proper education and ethical grounding.
This, he argued, is a major reason why corruption thrives at such high levels. He noted that today’s politicians do not possess personal integrity, nor do they seem concerned about preserving a good name or leaving behind a legacy of honour.
“The problem is that those in power today have no names or values to protect,” he said. “They are not interested in leaving behind a good reputation, and that’s why illegal acquisition of wealth has become the norm.”
Sanusi urged for a nationwide re-evaluation of moral and societal values, particularly within the family and community structures. He emphasized that the fight against corruption should not be left to a single individual but must involve a collective effort, beginning with a reorientation at the family level. “One man alone cannot fight this. It has to be a complete societal change,” he insisted.
Addressing the common narrative that civil servants are the root of corruption, the former Central Bank Governor turned Emir offered a counterpoint. He argued that it is often politicians who corrupt the bureaucracy rather than the other way around. “It’s not civil servants who corrupt politicians; it’s the politicians who destroy the civil service,” he said.
Sanusi supported his claim by citing historical examples. He noted that during the anti-corruption purge led by the late General Murtala Muhammed, in which over 10,000 civil servants were dismissed, none were sacked from the Ministry of External Affairs — the ministry where his father once served. This, he said, illustrates that some public servants have maintained integrity even in the face of systemic corruption.
He stressed the importance of shielding civil servants from undue political pressure, pointing out that they operate under the authority of ministers and are often too powerless to resist unethical directives.
“Civil servants are not independent,” he stated. “They must be protected because they often lack the authority to oppose corrupt ministers.”
On the economic front, Dr. Sanusi reflected on Nigeria’s long-standing policy missteps. He lamented that successive governments have implemented economic policies that have harmed the society more than they have helped it.
According to him, these detrimental policies are a major factor in Nigeria’s current economic struggles.