Kano Emir, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, has criticized Nigerian elites for being disconnected from the harsh realities of poverty experienced by ordinary citizens across the country.

Speaking at a public lecture in Abuja on Saturday to commemorate the 60th birthday of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the 16th Emir of Kano shared his personal awakening to the depth of poverty in Nigeria.

"Many of the elite in Nigeria do not know what poverty is. As an economist, former CBN Governor, I see the numbers. I did not know poverty until I became Emir," Sanusi revealed.

The monarch painted a stark picture of life in rural Nigeria, describing communities where people drink unsafe water, live in inadequate housing, and study in dilapidated classrooms without roofs. He contrasted this with the priorities of leadership in urban areas.

"Do we love the people, or do we just love ruling over them? What are our priorities? We make overheads and underpasses for ourselves in the cities, while in the rural areas, they cannot reach hospitals," he questioned.

Sanusi emphasized that Nigeria is facing a crisis and urged that finding solutions should be the primary focus of leadership. He called for governance rooted in empathy to rescue more Nigerians from what he described as "economic bondage."

The Emir's comments come amid growing concerns about increasing economic hardship in Nigeria, with inflation rates at record highs and many citizens struggling to afford basic necessities.

His remarks highlight the widening gap between Nigeria's ruling class and the general population, particularly those in rural areas who lack access to essential services like healthcare and quality education.

The former Central Bank Governor, who was reinstated as Emir of Kano earlier this year after his controversial removal in 2020, has consistently used his platform to advocate for economic reforms and social justice in Nigeria.