By Ogunbayi Beedee Adeyemi October 28, 2025
adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has issued a stern admonition to President Bola Tinubu’s ministers and presidential aides, cautioning them against degenerating into “praise singers” and instead prioritizing candid counsel to rescue Nigeria’s battered economy from collapse.
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Delivering the keynote address at a forum on integrity and courage in public service in Abuja on Monday, the renowned economist and traditional ruler decried the pervasive culture of flattery that has long undermined governance in Nigeria. “Those who work with the President must understand that it is not in their benefit to turn themselves into praise singers. You disgrace yourself and the office you hold when you do that,” Sanusi declared, drawing applause from the audience of policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders.
Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) whose outspoken reforms once sparked national debate, lamented that leaders often surround themselves with sycophants who echo desired narratives rather than hard truths. “Our leaders listen but only to those who tell them what they want to hear. Nigeria has too many sycophants in government. Those who speak the truth are seen as enemies of the state,” he said, referencing past instances where honest warnings such as the unsustainability of fuel subsidies in 2012 were dismissed amid political expediency.
While issuing his rebuke, the Emir commended Tinubu’s administration for bold economic measures, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates steps he described as “painful but necessary” to avert deeper crisis. “The current economic team, including Finance Minister Wale Edun and CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso, has shown professionalism in stabilizing inflation and exchange rates,” Sanusi noted, praising their efforts to curb volatility.
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However, he issued a stark warning: without matching these reforms with institutional discipline, fiscal prudence, and a crackdown on waste, they risk failure. “We cannot preach sacrifice to the people while living in luxury at the top,” Sanusi asserted, questioning the necessity of 48 ministers, oversized official convoys, and extravagant travel budgets. He urged a return to moral leadership, where public servants lead by example in cutting costs and redirecting resources to critical sectors like agriculture, education, and healthcare.
The Emir’s remarks come amid Nigeria’s deepening economic woes, with inflation hovering at 34%, naira depreciation fueling import costs, and food insecurity affecting over 26 million citizens. His intervention echoes earlier calls, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s recent push for local content in military procurement to boost jobs, highlighting a growing chorus for accountable governance under Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
Sanusi’s address revives memories of his tenure as CBN Governor (2009-2014), when he exposed multi-billion-naira frauds in the banking sector, earning both accolades and powerful enemies. Reinstated as Emir in 2017 before a controversial dethronement in 2020 and restoration in 2024, he has consistently used his platform to advocate for economic sanity, often at personal risk.
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Fellow speaker Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, aligned with Sanusi’s views, stressing that subsidy savings must tangibly benefit ordinary Nigerians. “It’s not true that pain automatically brings gain,” Peterside remarked, calling for transparent allocation of funds to palliatives and infrastructure.
The speech has sparked widespread discussion on social media and in policy circles, with #SpeakTruthToPower trending as netizens share anecdotes of silenced whistleblowers. Civil society organizations, including the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), praised Sanusi as a “voice of reason,” urging the Senate to embed anti-sycophancy clauses in governance codes.
As of Tuesday evening, the Presidency had not issued an official response, though sources close to Aso Rock described the Emir’s words as “constructive criticism” worthy of reflection. APC chieftains, however, defended the administration’s track record, with one anonymous lawmaker noting, “Tinubu listens to experts like Sanusi that’s why reforms are underway.”
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Sanusi concluded his address with a plea for unity: “Nigeria’s salvation lies not in flattery, but in collective courage to confront our demons.” As the nation navigates twin threats of insecurity and recession, his message resonates as a clarion call for integrity in the corridors of power.
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