The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has revealed that the years he spent away from Kano after his dethronement helped him avoid potential humiliation and provided an opportunity to pursue further academic work.
Sanusi made the remarks while speaking at the Fola Adeola Annual Ramadan Lecture, where he reflected on resilience during difficult times and the importance of trusting in God when circumstances ce.
According to the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, people often mistakenly attribute power and life outcomes to individuals rather than recognising that circumstances ultimately ce according to God’s will.
“Too often in our lives we attribute things to human beings but they are all created,” Sanusi said. “Remembering that situations are not permanent and that Allah can ce your circumstances helps you cope and conduct yourself.”
He warned against humiliating oneself in an attempt to gain favour from influential people, stressing that many wrongly believe their success depends entirely on powerful figures.
“I’ve seen people who beg cringe and bow to human beings. They humiliate themselves because they feel this person is the one who holds the path to their position,” he said.
Sanusi used his own experience to illustrate how fortunes can ce over time. He recalled that after his suspension as governor of the Central Bank in 2014 he later became emir of Kano.
However he was dethroned in 2020 by former Abdullahi Ganduje, the then governor of Kano State. During the period away from the throne Sanusi said he focused on academic pursuits and completed a PhD.
He was eventually reinstated as Emir in 2024 by the current governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Reflecting on that period Sanusi said it allowed him to avoid certain challenges he might have faced if he had remained in Kano during those years.
“I think of all the things that could have happened if I was in Kano in the last four years the humiliation I could have faced the people I would have had to deal with and the people I would have had to report to,” he said.
“But God was merciful and kind. He took me away from that. He gave me a chance I went and did a PhD and I’m back.”
Sanusi concluded by stressing that losing positions should never be seen as the end of one’s purpose in life. Instead he said individuals should remain faithful to their principles and focus on living in a way that pleases God.
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