The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said President Bola Tinubu’s administration often interprets criticism and suggestions as attacks, adding that the government lacks effective spokespersons.
Sanusi made the remarks while speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank conference convened by Arunma Oteh.
“This government doesn’t express itself properly. It sees every suggestion and contribution it does not like as an attack, and it doesn’t have good spokespersons,” he said.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, however, acknowledged what he described as progress under Tinubu’s administration, particularly in the economy.
Sanusi cited Nigeria’s reported gross domestic product growth of 4.48 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, noting that the figure was higher than the 0.9 per cent growth recorded during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also pointed to a decline in inflation, saying it had dropped from 30 per cent to 14.6 per cent, with a projection of 12.5 per cent by the end of the year.
According to Sanusi, Nigeria’s GDP per capita in dollar terms has increased by 47 per cent since 2023, while the country’s foreign reserves stood at $55 billion.
He acknowledged that a significant portion of the reserves was driven by volatile portfolio investments, partly attracted by high oil prices and returns.
Sanusi also said the country was making progress in economic diversification, adding that the Dangote Refinery accounted for 20 per cent of Nigeria’s exports.
“I’m not a fan of politicians, but we need to give credit to President Tinubu’s administration for bringing us back from the brink,” he said.
He maintained that the government had laid foundations for economic stability, although more work remained to be done.
