- Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II condemned violence against women and child marriage, saying culture could not excuse abuse
- He linked gender-based violence to power imbalance, poverty, and weak government services rather than tradition
- Sanusi said Nigerian law must prevail, insisting that protecting women and children was a shared national responsibility
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has strongly condemned violence against women and the practice of child marriage, declaring that culture cannot be used as a justification for abuse and that every Nigerian is entitled to protection under the law.
Sanusi made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television, where he spoke extensively on gender-based violence, child marriage, and the social conditions that enable abuse in many communities across the country.
“You cannot beat a woman because your culture says you can beat her,” the Emir said. “She is a Nigerian citizen entitled to protection.”
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria argued that acts of abuse often attributed to culture are, in reality, rooted in unequal power relations, poverty, and the failure of government to provide basic services. According to him, violence against women and children is not unique to African societies and should not be excused on cultural grounds.
“This violence happens in all societies; it’s not about African culture,” Sanusi said. “When men have power and women are not protected, men will take advantage of that power and oppress them. Women, children, the poor, and persons with disabilities are all victims.”
Addressing the issue of child marriage, particularly in rural communities, the Emir urged Nigerians to look beyond stereotypes and understand the structural factors that sustain the practice. He explained that many girls complete primary school at around age 11, with no access to secondary education, vocational centres, or safe environments to support their development.
“Between 11 and 18, what arrangements have you made for her?” he asked. “The poor man finds that she is 12 or 13; he is afraid she can get pregnant on the road, and the next young man that comes, he marries her off. Sometimes these cultures basically reflect poverty.”
Sanusi criticised what he described as urban-centred perspectives that fail to take into account the realities of life in rural areas. He noted that in many communities, schools are far away or non-existent, roads are unsafe, and local government services are weak or absent.
“It’s easy to blame culture. It’s easy to blame a victim,” he said. “But the government has not provided the schools.”
He further observed that people living in cities often underestimate how difficult it is for girls in remote areas to access education and basic social services, adding that poor infrastructure, long distances, and unsafe travel conditions worsen the situation.
Despite acknowledging the complexity of the issues, the Emir insisted that Nigeria must draw firm moral and legal boundaries. He stressed that violence against women and children is unacceptable under any circumstances.
“As a nation, we need to have certain common agreements and values,” Sanusi said. “It doesn’t matter what you think your culture says. Nigerian law does not allow you to do it.”
He concluded by stating that many acts blamed on tradition are not cultural practices but deliberate abuses of power. Describing them as a “culture of oppression” sustained by violence and exploitation, Sanusi insisted that such practices must be confronted and dismantled if Nigeria is to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
Kano Emirate Tussle: Prominent Northern monarch backs Sanusi in show of unity
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that amid the ongoing emirate tussle in Kano, the Emir of Potiskum, Umar Bauya, had expressed his staunch support for the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Bauya paid a solidarity visit to Sanusi following his reinstatement by Governor Abba Yusuf, which would mark the first time a northern emir visited the former CBN governor since the tussle began.