Speaking at a conference held in Kano on Thursday, the emir said the true test of any government policy is simple: does it make life better for the people? If it doesn’t, then it has missed the point.
He was represented at the event by the Danmadamin Kano, Professor Abubakar Aliyu Sanusi, who is also an Economics lecturer at Bayero University Kano. The professor delivered the emir’s message to a hall full of academics, policymakers, and community leaders.
According to the emir, Nigeria is at a point where talk alone is not enough. The country needs practical steps that directly cut poverty, raise living standards, and create opportunities for everyone, not just a few. He described the timing of the conference as important because the nation is currently dealing with serious economic and political pressure.
“Any economic policy that does not improve the welfare of the people is inherently ineffective,” he said through his representative. “We must judge policies by their impact on citizens.”
The monarch went further to say that leaders must look back at history if they want to move forward. He stressed the need to build stronger institutions, uphold justice, and deal honestly with problems that have been ignored for too long.
He listed some of the biggest issues holding the country back. Insecurity remains a major threat in many communities. Corruption continues to drain public resources. Poverty is deepening for millions of families. Roads, hospitals, schools, and power supply are still poor in many parts of the country.
Beyond economics, the emir also spoke about politics. He urged politicians to drop self-interest and focus on service. For him, the conversation around power should not only be about which region gets it next. It should be about character and competence.
“Power-sharing should not only be about geographical rotation,” he said. “It should be about ensuring that credible, competent and compassionate leaders emerge to serve the people.”
That statement drew attention at the conference because it speaks to a frustration many Nigerians feel. People want leaders who can deliver, regardless of where they come from.
The emir also made a direct appeal to citizens. He asked Nigerians to rise above divisions of religion and political party. He said unity, tolerance, and a sense of shared responsibility are needed if the country wants to make real progress.
He acknowledged that Nigeria has achieved some things since independence. There has been growth in education, business, and technology. But he noted that those gains are being undermined by persistent problems. Political instability, ethnic and religious tensions, rising insecurity, and economic hardship are still affecting daily life.
The message was clear: policy must be practical, leadership must be accountable, and society must be united.
Attendees at the Kano conference said the emir’s remarks reflect what many people are already feeling on the ground. Households are struggling with high costs of food and transport. Small businesses are trying to stay afloat. Young people are looking for jobs.
For the emir, the way out is to design policies with the citizen at the center. That means programs that create jobs, improve infrastructure, secure communities, and reduce the cost of living.
As the discussion in Kano continues, the expectation is that government at both federal and state levels will take the call seriously. Nigerians are watching to see if the next set of policies will actually translate to better welfare, or if it will be more of the same.
