The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, says the period he spent outside the state following his removal from the throne helped shield him from possible humiliation and gave him the opportunity to pursue further academic studies.
He said this while speaking on resilience during difficult times at the Fola Adeola annual Ramadan lecture. Reflecting on his personal experiences, the monarch said people often place too much importance on individuals, forgetting that circumstances ultimately change by the will of God.
Drawing from his own life, he said faith helped him navigate the difficult moments surrounding his suspension as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and his later removal as emir.
Sanw⁸ cautioned against humiliating oneself in a bid to gain favour from powerful people, stressing that many wrongly believe their fortunes are determined solely by other individuals.
“Too often in our lives, we attribute things to human beings, but they are all created,” Sanusi said.
“Remembering that situations are not permanent, that Allah changes your circumstances, helps you cope and conduct yourself.
“I’ve seen people who beg, cringe, and bow to human beings. They humiliate themselves because they feel this person is the one who holds the path to their position.”
The emir cited his own journey as an example of how quickly fortunes can change.
Sanusi noted that although he spent four years away from the palace after his removal, he eventually returned to the throne.
“I was suspended from being governor of central bank. Three months later, I became an emir,” he said.
“Several years ago I was removed as emir; four years later, I came back. I’m now in the same palace, I’m on my throne. Yes, there are challenges but at the end of the day you hold on to God. You don’t panic.
“I think of all the things that could have happened if I was in Kano in the last four years, the humiliation I could have faced, the people. I would have had to deal with, the people I would have had to report to, but God was so merciful, so kind, He took me away from that. He gave me a chance, I went andlband I’m back.”
Sanusi also emphasised that losing a position should not be seen as the end of one’s purpose in life.
“If I’m taken away from positions, it’s not a big deal. At the end of the day, I ask myself, have I done anything to offend God?” he added.
“It’s better for you to leave there and keep to yourself principles than to stay there and earn the wrath of Allah.”
Sanusi served as CBN governor between 2009 and 2014. He was later dethroned as emir in 2020 by former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje but was reinstated in 2024 by the current governor, Abba Yusuf.
