Emir Sanusi Criticizes Nigerian Elites for Disconnect from Poverty Realities

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has expressed concern over the disconnect between Nigeria’s elite and the country’s widespread poverty. Speaking at a public lecture in Abuja commemorating the 60th birthday of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Sanusi highlighted the lack of understanding among the elite regarding the daily struggles faced by many Nigerians.

“Many of the elite in Nigeria do not know what poverty is. As an economist and former Central Bank Governor, I saw the numbers. But I did not truly understand poverty until I became Emir,” Sanusi stated. He recounted witnessing firsthand the dire conditions in rural areas, including inadequate housing, unsafe drinking water, and dilapidated educational facilities.

Sanusi questioned the priorities of the nation’s leadership, contrasting urban infrastructure developments with the lack of basic amenities in rural communities. “We make overheads and underpasses for ourselves in the cities, while in the rural areas, they cannot reach hospitals,” he lamented.

The lecture, titled “Weaponisation of Poverty as a Means of Underdevelopment: A Case Study of Nigeria,” also featured remarks from former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf. Both speakers echoed Sanusi’s concerns, emphasizing the need for empathetic and people-centered governance to address the nation’s challenges.

Sanusi’s comments have sparked discussions on the importance of bridging the gap between Nigeria’s leadership and its impoverished populations, urging a reevaluation of national priorities to foster inclusive development.