The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has declared that most Nigerian elites remain oblivious to the true extent of poverty ravaging the country, particularly in rural areas.

Speaking at former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi's 60th birthday celebration in Abuja on Saturday, Sanusi revealed that despite his background as an economist and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, he only grasped the reality of poverty after ascending to the throne as Emir.

"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 stated.

The Emir painted a grim picture of rural living conditions, describing villages where residents consume unsafe water, inhabit inadequate housing, and children attend dilapidated schools with "two block classrooms without roofs."

Sanusi squarely blamed poor leadership for the widespread poverty in Nigeria's rural communities, suggesting that the disconnect between policymakers and the reality on the ground contributes to ineffective poverty reduction strategies.

Sanusi's Journey to the Throne

Sanusi served as CBN Governor during former President Goodluck Jonathan's administration before ascending to the throne as the Emir of Kano on June 8, 2014, following the death of his predecessor and uncle, Ado Bayero.

His first tenure as Emir was cut short in 2020 when former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dethroned him. However, in a significant turn of events, current Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Sanusi to his position in 2024.

The Emir's comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with rising inflation, economic challenges, and increasing poverty rates across the country, particularly affecting rural communities with limited access to basic amenities and infrastructure.

As a respected voice on economic matters and traditional leadership, Sanusi's observations highlight the persistent gap between Nigeria's policy formulation and the lived experiences of its most vulnerable citizens.