The Emir of Kano and former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has urged ministers and presidential aides to stop engaging in praise-singing and instead offer honest, constructive advice that can help rescue Nigeria’s struggling economy.
Sanusi gave the charge on Monday in Abuja during the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference and Book Launch, where he and renowned economist, Atedo Peterside, examined the country’s governance and economic challenges, Vanguard reports.
Addressing the theme of integrity and courage in public service, the Emir expressed concern over the growing culture of sycophancy in government, noting that many leaders prefer flattery to the truth.
“Our leaders listen but only to those who tell them what they want to hear.
“Nigeria has too many sycophants in government. Those who speak the truth are seen as enemies of the state,” Sanusi said.
He decried the excessive culture of praise at official events, describing it as harmful to effective governance and accountability.
“You sit in a meeting and the President is there. The first thing people say is, ‘Mr. President, I want to thank you for your great leadership. God has blessed Nigeria by making you our leader.
“By the time they finish laying that foundation, it is their advice that the President accepts.
“But when you tell the truth and point out what is wrong, they say you are the enemy. That is why people like Atedo Peterside and I are always seen as enemies of the state because people don’t like hearing the truth,” he said.
Sanusi appealed to public officials to restore integrity and honesty to governance, stressing that blind loyalty has hindered Nigeria’s progress for decades.
“Those who work with the President must understand that it is not in their best interest to turn themselves into praise singers.
“You disgrace yourself and the office you hold when you do that,” he warned.
On the economy, Sanusi commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for taking bold steps such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification.
He, however, cautioned that the reforms would not yield results without fiscal discipline and responsible management of public funds.
If you stop paying subsidies but continue borrowing more, it means you’ve filled one hole only to dig another.
“The real challenge now is the quality of government spending and the management of the revenues saved,” he said.
Sanusi blamed Nigeria’s persistent economic troubles on inconsistent policies and populist decision-making.
He recalled that those who once opposed subsidy removal are now implementing it.
He stated, “In 2012, we warned that the subsidy was unsustainable, but politics took over.
“Now the same people who led protests against it have inherited the problem and had no choice but to do the right thing.”
He praised the professionalism of the current economic management team, including the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, noting their efforts to stabilise inflation and reduce exchange rate volatility.
Still, he called on the government to cut costs, reduce its cabinet size, and lead by example.
“Why do we need 48 ministers? Why do we need long convoys of vehicles and endless travel expenses?” he asked.
“We cannot preach sacrifice to the people while living in luxury at the top.”
The conference, themed “Reimagining Leadership and Governance in a Changing Africa,” brought together policymakers, academics, and development experts to discuss reforms for better governance across the continent.
Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, echoed Sanusi’s sentiments, urging the government to ensure that savings from subsidy removal are transparently used to benefit ordinary Nigerians.
“It’s not true that pain automatically brings gain.
“Gain only follows pain if the government spends wisely, eliminates waste, and supports the poor,” Peterside said.
Many observers believe President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms are beginning to bear fruit.
Recently, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, highlighted what he described as major improvements in Nigeria’s economy, crediting the progress to the reform measures introduced by the Tinubu administration.
According to Dare, the nation’s economy which he said was at a “breaking point” before Tinubu assumed office, has now begun to show signs of measurable recovery and stability.
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