The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called on the Federal Government and other leaders across the country to adopt economic policies that directly improve the lives of Nigerians, stressing that the success of any policy should be measured by its impact on the welfare of the people.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria made the appeal on Thursday while speaking at a conference in Kano. He said Nigeria needs policies that reduce poverty, improve living standards and promote inclusive economic growth at a time when many citizens are facing rising hardship.
Sanusi, who was represented at the event by the Danmadamin Kano and Professor of Economics at Bayero University, Kano, Abubakar Aliyu Sanusi, described the conference as timely because of the country’s current economic and political challenges.
According to him, Nigeria’s leaders must focus on policies that bring real benefits to ordinary citizens rather than measures that fail to improve people’s living conditions.
He said economic policies should always be judged by the difference they make in the lives of the people.
Economic policies should be assessed based on their impact on the welfare of citizens. Any economic policy that does not improve the welfare of the people is inherently ineffective,” he said.
The monarch noted that improving the welfare of citizens should remain the central goal of government at all levels. He said reducing poverty, creating opportunities and ensuring that economic growth benefits all sections of society should be given greater attention.
His comments come as many Nigerians continue to struggle with the effects of high inflation, rising food prices, unemployment and the increasing cost of living. In recent years, several economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates, have attracted both support and criticism.
While government officials have argued that the reforms are necessary to stabilise the economy and attract investment, many households have complained that the measures have increased financial pressure on families.
Against this background, Sanusi urged policymakers to ensure that economic decisions are designed to improve the lives of citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable.
The emir also advised leaders to learn from history and address long-standing national problems instead of allowing them to continue affecting the country’s development.
According to him, no nation can build a better future without confronting unresolved issues from its past. He stressed the need to strengthen public institutions and promote justice as part of efforts to achieve lasting national progress.
Sanusi identified insecurity, corruption, poverty and poor infrastructure as some of Nigeria’s biggest challenges, saying these issues continue to slow economic growth and weaken public confidence in government.
He called on political leaders to place national interest above personal ambition, urging them to focus on service rather than politics driven by self-interest.
The monarch said leadership should be based on competence, integrity and compassion rather than political calculations alone.
He added that discussions about power-sharing should go beyond geographical rotation and instead focus on producing capable leaders who can meet the needs of the people.
“Power-sharing should not only be about geographical rotation but about ensuring that credible, competent and compassionate leaders emerge to serve the people,” he said.
Sanusi also appealed to Nigerians to embrace unity despite differences in religion, ethnicity and political affiliation.
He said building a stronger nation requires cooperation, tolerance and a shared commitment to the country’s progress.
According to him, every citizen has a role to play in promoting peace and supporting efforts aimed at national development.
The emir acknowledged that Nigeria has recorded important achievements since gaining independence in 1960. However, he said the country still faces major challenges that continue to affect its stability and development.
He listed political instability, ethnic and religious tensions, insecurity and economic hardship among the issues that require urgent attention from both leaders and citizens.
His latest remarks add to the ongoing national conversation on how to balance economic reforms with social protection measures as the country seeks to address inflation, unemployment and slow economic growth.
As Nigeria continues to navigate difficult economic conditions, Sanusi’s message highlights the need for leaders to keep citizens’ welfare at the centre of policy decisions.
He maintained that only policies that reduce poverty, improve living standards and strengthen national unity can deliver sustainable development and restore public confidence in governance.
The emir urged both leaders and citizens to work together in building a more peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria where government policies produce meaningful improvements in the lives of the people.