Emir Sanusi decries erosion of values in Nigerian society

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed concern over the continuous erosion of values in Nigerian society, calling for urgent reforms in the nation’s moral and leadership fabric.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor criticized the culture of celebrating individuals who have stolen from the nation’s treasury by rewarding them with more positions of power.

He lamented that the country now glorifies material wealth regardless of its source, which, according to him, is contributing to the decline in ethical standards. “A society in which material wealth, no matter how you get it, is respected, is glorified, where people who are known to have stolen money get rewarded with ministerial appointments, that society will continue to reproduce itself,” he warned.

Sanusi criticized the lack of moral integrity among many public officials, stating that numerous individuals in government were poorly raised and entered public service solely for personal gain.

“We have been ruled by people who have no values; they have no name behind them, and they have no desire to leave a name after them,” he said, describing them as individuals who define themselves by their possessions rather than integrity.

He emphasized that true values like honesty, hard work, and compassion must take precedence over wealth if the nation hopes to rebuild.

Drawing on the legacy of the late General Murtala Muhammed, Sanusi called for a nationwide revival of values, stressing that both leaders and citizens share the responsibility for societal transformation.

He also noted the damage done to the civil service by political interference, urging a return to systems that empower civil servants to uphold rules and resist unethical directives from politicians.