The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has issued a stern warning to ministers, presidential aides, and public officials, cautioning them against becoming “praise singers” to power rather than speaking truth to leadership.
Addressing attendees at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference and Book Launch in Abuja, Sanusi lamented the prevalence of sycophancy in governance, saying that officials often choose to flatter rather than offer constructive counsel. “Nigeria has too many sycophants in government,” he said, explaining that those who offer candid critique are often branded “enemies of the state.”
Sanusi drew attention to the culture of opening remarks in meetings: officials commence with high praise for leadership and then limit themselves to repetitive commendations rather than tackling real issues. “By the time they finish laying that foundation, it is their advice that the President accepts,” he added.
While acknowledging some reform measures by the Tinubu administration—such as subsidy removal and exchange rate unification—Sanusi cautioned that such policies would fail without fiscal discipline, transparency, and honest governance. He urged leaders to reduce waste, simplify governance structures, and ensure public resources are deployed wisely.
His remarks have sparked renewed conversation about integrity, accountability, and the role of dissent in Nigerian political culture. Analysts say the address comes at a critical moment when governance credibility and reform momentum remain under scrutiny.
