Nigeria, a state estimated to have a population of over 180million people is richly blessed with great minds and individuals who have shown bright accomplishments in their respective careers. Some of these outstanding individuals have attained both national and international recognition as a result of their hard work and intelligence. One of these individuals is His royal highness, Lamido Sanusi Lamido. We’ll succinctly take a look at his background, career, recognitions, positions held as well as his activities after becoming the Emir of Kano.
BACKGROUND:
Sanusi Lamido was born on the 31st of July, 1961 into a prominent Fulani family in Kano. His western education started at St Anne Primary school (1967-1972). He then attended king’s college, Lagos for his secondary school before he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University where he graduated with a BSc and MSc in Economics in 1981 and 1983 respectively. In his quest for knowledge, he further attended the African International university in Sudan where he got a degree in sharia and Islamic studies in 1997.
CAREER:
In 1985, Sanusi became a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello university where he taught economics before moving into the world of finance, the banking sector. After successful periods in various banking institutions, he joined the united bank of Africa where he became the general manager. His skills and success propelled him above his peers and he became the general managing director (CEO) of first bank Nigeria in January 2009. On July 1st of the same year, he became the governor of central bank having been appointed by late president Yaradua. He was then, in accordance with the constitution, confirmed by the senate on 3rd of July 2009. Many described him as ruthless as he introduced various reforms which would help purge the banking sector from top bank officials who mismanaged the resources at their disposal thereby putting their banks in debt and jeopardy. His reforms saved Nigeria over 400million dollars.
BECOMING EMIR:
On the 8th of June, 2014, Sanusi Lamido was crowned as the 14th Emir of Kano and leader of the Tijaniyya sufi order, which is the second most important Muslim position in Nigeria after Sultan of Sokoto. As Emir, he spoke out against the slow pace of education in the north. According to the media, he requested that more schools than mosque should be constructed in the north. Irrespective of the verbal and political attacks on his position as the Emir, he never shied away from airing his views and opinions on the state of the nation. On October 22, 2015, he was honoured with the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA), Lifetime Achievement Award (LFA). Not too long ago, MTN group announced the appointment of Sanusi as a member of their International advisory board to be effective as from July 2019. June 25th Ekiti state government also appointed him as Pro-Chancellor of Ekiti State University. The university became the fourth university that has HRH Sanusi as its Pro-Chancellor.
Over the years, HRH Lamido Sanusi has endeared himself into the hearts of progressive minded citizens. His utterances have always been deliberate and intended to address societal flaws. As an economist, he has always given his opinions about the economy of Nigeria as well as viable solutions that can stabilize the economy.
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