The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over its ambition to build a $1 trillion economy, describing the target as “hallucination.”
Sanusi urged the Federal Government to focus on resolving Nigeria’s fundamental economic challenges instead of pursuing what he described as unrealistic economic projections.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria called for greater fiscal discipline and transparency in public spending, questioning the rationale behind removing fuel subsidies while continuing to rely heavily on borrowing.
According to him, Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable economic growth through excessive borrowing and should instead address the structural issues driving the country’s economic difficulties.
Sanusi argued that years of policy inconsistency and populist politics have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic problems, stressing that meaningful reforms should take precedence over ambitious economic targets.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, which have contributed to rising inflation and increased economic hardship for many Nigerians.
Reacting to the Emir’s comments, the Northern Patriotic Coalition for Democracy accused him of being “careless” and “misinformed,” insisting that the Tinubu administration has implemented bold reforms to correct decades of economic mismanagement.
Sanusi, however, maintained that transparency, accountability and prudent fiscal management remain essential to Nigeria’s economic recovery.
His comments have generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing mixed opinions over his assessment of the government’s economic agenda.
The Federal Government has yet to issue an official response to the Emir’s latest remarks.
