Emir Sanusi Urges Tinubu To Trim Cabinet, Condemn Extravagant Spending And Save Nigeria’s Economy From Further Decline

 

Nigeria’s 16th Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently cut down the cost of governance if his administration’s economic reforms are to make any meaningful impact on the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, October 28, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor lamented that the federal government’s current spending pattern reflects a lack of fiscal discipline and defeats the purpose of removing the fuel subsidy. He stressed that while the removal of subsidy was a bold and necessary move, the manner in which the generated revenue is being used raises serious questions about priorities and long-term planning.

Sanusi, a respected economist and vocal advocate for fiscal prudence, faulted what he described as “extravagant governance culture” in Nigeria. He questioned why the federal government needed 48 ministers, long convoys, and endless international trips at a time when millions of citizens are struggling under the weight of rising prices and stagnant wages. According to him, the solution to Nigeria’s economic hardship lies not just in increasing government revenue but in managing available resources with responsibility and foresight.

He emphasized that the current structure of governance, marked by high administrative costs and avoidable waste, is unsustainable. “Why do we need 48 ministers, long convoys, endless travels?” he asked, challenging the political class to lead by example and demonstrate real sacrifice. He argued that it would be morally inconsistent for leaders to urge citizens to endure hardship while continuing to live in luxury funded by public resources.

Sanusi commended President Tinubu for the political will to end the fuel subsidy regime, which he described as an “economic albatross” that had drained national resources for decades. However, he noted that the expected benefits of the reform would remain elusive unless the proceeds from subsidy savings are transparently channeled into productive sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Reflecting on past economic decisions, the Emir revisited the events of 2012, when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan attempted to remove the fuel subsidy but faced massive protests led by politicians who later came to power and inherited the same economic challenges. Sanusi said Nigeria missed an opportunity then to avert the current crisis. “If Nigeria had allowed the Jonathan government to remove subsidy in 2012, the pain would have been a very tiny fraction of what we are facing today,” he stated.

He recalled that as CBN Governor at the time, he had publicly assured that the inflationary impact of subsidy removal would be minimal and temporary. “I stood up and put my credit card on the line and said, remove the subsidy today, inflation moves up from 11 percent to 13 percent, I will bring it down in a year,” he explained. “We would not have had 30-something percent inflation.”

Sanusi pointed out that during his tenure at the CBN, strategic monetary policies were implemented to avoid hyperinflation and prevent the Naira from collapsing. He said Nigeria was at the brink of economic chaos similar to Zimbabwe’s experience but managed to stay afloat through disciplined financial management and strong policy intervention.

Commenting on the present exchange rate situation, he defended the need for stability even at a weaker value. “Yes, we are at N1,400 to the dollar, but it’s better to know it will be N1,400 for six months than to think it’s N1,400 today and N2,000 tomorrow,” he noted. To him, certainty is a critical component of investor confidence and long-term economic recovery.

He maintained that the real crisis confronting the Nigerian economy is not just inflation or currency depreciation but an unchecked pattern of excessive public spending. He insisted that a leaner, more efficient government structure is necessary to restore fiscal balance and rebuild trust in public institutions.

Sanusi’s message to the Tinubu administration was clear and urgent: the fight for economic revival must begin from within the government itself. He urged the President to send a strong signal by trimming the size of his cabinet, reducing wasteful expenditure, and setting an example of simplicity and accountability.

According to the Emir, without deliberate measures to curb the cost of governance, the reform agenda may fail to deliver tangible improvements for ordinary Nigerians. “We cannot continue to preach sacrifice to citizens while government officials live in excess,” he concluded.

His remarks have reignited the national debate on governance costs and fiscal responsibility, highlighting the growing demand for a more accountable and people-centered administration in Nigeria’s current economic climate.