"Nothing Works in Nigeria Anymore": Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II Decries Nigeria’s Economic Decline and Labour's Silence

The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, has delivered a poignant critique of the current state of Nigeria, offering a sobering diagnosis of a country he says is teetering under the weight of economic turmoil and social decay.

Speaking through Dr. Comrade Auwalu Mudi Yakasai, a prominent labour and human rights activist popularly known as Danmalikin Kano, the former Central Bank Governor made the remarks at the 51st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and training workshop of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The event, held at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Wudil, Kano State, brought together key figures in academia and labour leadership across the country.

During his address, the Emir left little room for ambiguity regarding his position on the current administration. According to him, the government of President Bola Tinubu has failed to arrest the ongoing collapse of essential services and institutions. The monarch noted that from education to healthcare, and from the economy to labour advocacy, nothing seems to be functioning optimally anymore.

Voicing the concern of many Nigerians who continue to feel the pinch of inflation and hardship, the Emir pointed to the rapid rise in fuel prices and the overall cost of living as key indicators that the country is on a dangerous trajectory. He warned that without urgent intervention and reform, the suffering of ordinary citizens would deepen.

Citing the past as a point of reflection, the Emir reminisced about a time when labour unions were the backbone of societal resistance and an effective force for change. He said the unions, once active partners with student bodies, market traders, and religious groups, have now gone largely silent. According to him, this quiet retreat has emboldened exploitative governance and left the average Nigerian even more vulnerable.

Dr. Yakasai, relaying the Emir’s sentiments, said, “Every sector of human endeavour in Nigeria is battered. The economy, social life, education, health, all are going down. Even the labour movement is no longer what it used to be. Its fortunes are dwindling, and its silence in the face of rising oppression is worrying.”

The workshop offered a reflective platform for the monarch to urge SSANU and similar organisations to return to the founding ethos of trade unionism. He emphasized that unions must embrace the strategic triad of Cooperation, Contestation, and Confrontation as a step-by-step approach to advocacy. Each phase, he explained, plays a vital role in preserving the dignity and rights of workers across the country.

"You start with cooperation,” he stated plainly. “If that fails, you move to contestation. And when all avenues of engagement are exhausted, you must confront. Confrontation can take various forms; strike action is only one method among many.”

Offering praise for the SSANU leadership, the Emir’s representative highlighted the contributions of Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, President of SSANU, particularly his dedication to inclusive and transparent governance. The monarch observed that under Ibrahim’s leadership, the union has grown stronger, more united, and more focused on its mission.

He went on to note that today’s union leaders enjoy more privilege and access than their predecessors. However, he cautioned that these advantages come with great responsibility. “Labour leaders now travel by air. That wasn’t the case in our time. But such privileges must translate into improved welfare for the members,” he remarked.

Reaffirming the value of grassroots activism, the Emir declared that the title "Comrade" is one to be earned, not adopted casually. It signifies commitment, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the collective struggle for equity and justice.

As the workshop drew participants from various parts of Nigeria, the Emir encouraged visitors to take the opportunity to explore Kano State. He described the region as a bastion of peace, hospitality, and tradition, noting that its people remain open-hearted and committed to national unity.

The monarch’s message resonated deeply with union members and observers. His critique, while delivered with characteristic grace, pulled no punches. It was a call to reflection and action for those who once led the vanguard of social resistance.

In acknowledging SSANU’s progress, the Emir urged other unions to learn from their approach. Unity, transparency, and a proactive stance on worker welfare, he said, should become the hallmarks of all labour bodies operating in the country.

His address concluded with a reminder that real change does not begin with grand gestures but with principled stands, honest leadership, and the courage to speak truth to power. Nigeria, he warned, cannot afford the continued silence of its most trusted institutions, especially at a time when citizens are crying out for relief.

This stirring intervention by Muhammadu Sanusi II adds to a growing list of voices demanding accountability and reform from those at the helm of Nigeria’s affairs. With inflation rising, insecurity lingering, and trust in public institutions waning, the Emir’s words may very well serve as a catalyst for renewed engagement within the labour movement and beyond.