The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed deep concern over the stagnant development of Northern Nigeria, stressing that the region’s vast population has been underutilized for progress.
Speaking as the guest speaker at the 50th anniversary celebration of the visit of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, the founder of the Tijjaniyya movement in West Africa, the Emir lamented that the North has failed to leverage its human resources and natural advantages to drive meaningful development.
The event, which took place in Jos, Plateau State, marked a significant moment in the history of interfaith and interethnic relations in Nigeria. Emir Sanusi used the occasion to highlight the crucial role of education and agriculture in addressing the region’s socio-economic challenges.
“The North must wake up,” he said, urging stakeholders in the region to take urgent steps to invest in the future. “The North has a population that can be a tremendous force for growth, but this can only happen if we prioritize education and modernize our agricultural practices.”
The Emir’s comments come at a time when Northern Nigeria remains far behind the southern regions in key areas like infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Despite its large population, much of the region still practices subsistence farming, with limited access to modern agricultural technologies and techniques.
In his speech, Sanusi II underscored the need for a transformation in agriculture, which remains the primary livelihood for millions in the North. He pointed out that many farmers in the region still rely on outdated farming methods, limiting their productivity and income.
“It is crucial for the North to modernize its agricultural sector,” he stressed. “Without this transformation, we cannot expect to feed our growing population or provide sustainable jobs for the youth.”
The Emir’s remarks are in line with calls from various experts who believe that agricultural innovation and investment in rural development are key to solving many of the North’s challenges, including unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity.
Education as the Key to Empowerment
Sanusi also called for urgent reforms in the education system, particularly in Northern Nigeria. He pointed out that the region’s education standards continue to lag behind the rest of the country, which has long-term consequences for the overall development of the region.
“Education is the foundation of every successful society,” the Emir said. “If we want to empower our youth and ensure that they are equipped with the skills to succeed in the modern economy, we must focus on improving educational standards.”
According to recent reports, Northern Nigeria has the highest rates of out-of-school children in the country, and the region’s literacy levels are significantly lower than those in the South.
Emir Sanusi stressed that the educational system must evolve to prepare the youth for the challenges of the future, which include technological advancements and a rapidly changing global economy. He also called for more investment in vocational and technical training to equip young people with practical skills that would enable them to contribute to the local economy.
The 50th anniversary of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’s visit to Nigeria also provided a platform for Emir Sanusi to discuss the importance of peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse communities.
During his lecture titled “The Imperative of Harmonious Coexistence in a Multi-Ethnic and Multi-Religious Setting,” the Emir reflected on the significance of Nyass’s visit to the then Benue-Plateau State in 1974. Nyass, a prominent Senegalese Islamic scholar, had come to Nigeria with a message of peace and unity, promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Sanusi recalled that his grandfather, the late Emir Muhammadu Sanusi I, had played a key role in hosting Nyass during his visit, which was supported by the then Governor of Benue-Plateau State, J.D. Gomwalk. This gesture, he said, was a clear demonstration of tolerance and respect for diversity.
“It was an important moment in our history,” Sanusi noted. “It set the tone for peaceful coexistence in a region with diverse ethnic and religious groups.”
