By Adamu Lawal Toro
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has consistently been one of the most outspoken voices on the challenges confronting Northern Nigeria. Unlike many commentators who attribute insecurity solely to poverty, unemployment and economic hardship, Sanusi argues that the region’s deeper problem is the erosion of values that once held society together.
He made this submission at the 2nd Liberty Symposium on “Re-imagining the North,” held at the Musa Yar’Adua centre in Abuja where he called for a fundamental reassessment of the region’s moral, educational and governance foundations.
His position deserves serious consideration. Northern Nigeria has experienced poverty for generations. Yet, despite limited economic opportunities, communities were largely peaceful, families were cohesive, and social order was maintained through strong cultural, religious and moral values.
People took pride in honest labour, lived within their means and enjoyed dignity regardless of their economic status.
A farmer, trader, teacher or artisan could command respect based on character rather than wealth.
Today, however, society increasingly celebrates material success without adequately questioning how that wealth was acquired. Public officials who divert resources meant for hospitals, schools, roads and rural development are often celebrated rather than condemned. Young people are exposed to a culture that places excessive emphasis on quick wealth and social status. In such an environment, corruption becomes normalised and criminality gradually gains acceptance.
This is not to suggest that poverty is irrelevant. Economic deprivation undoubtedly creates conditions that can make crime more attractive, especially among idle and frustrated youth.
However, poverty alone does not explain why individuals entrusted with public resources choose to misappropriate funds meant to improve the lives of millions. Nor does it explain why educated and financially comfortable individuals sometimes engage in corruption, fraud and other forms of criminal behaviour. These are failures of values, ethics and accountability.
The consequences are visible across the region. Despite receiving substantial public investments over the years, Northern Nigeria continues to lag behind in critical human development indicators. Millions of children remain out of school. Maternal and child mortality rates remain among the highest in the country. Healthcare facilities are inadequate, and educational outcomes continue to deteriorate. Resources that should have been directed towards addressing these challenges have too often been lost to inefficiency, mismanagement and corruption.
If the North is to reverse its current trajectory, it must place human development at the centre of its agenda. Investment in education should be regarded not merely as a social programme but as a strategic necessity. No region can compete in the twenty-first century without a well-educated population. Every child, regardless of gender or social background, must have access to quality education that prepares them for productive citizenship and economic participation.
Equally important is investment in maternal and child health. A society cannot prosper when mothers die during childbirth and preventable diseases continue to claim the lives of children. Strengthening primary healthcare systems, improving nutrition and expanding access to essential medical services must become urgent priorities.
Religious leaders, traditional institutions, political leaders and civil society organisations also have a responsibility to restore the values of integrity, honesty, accountability and public service. Development is not measured solely by physical infrastructure but by the character of the people who manage and sustain it.
The future of Northern Nigeria will not be secured by blaming poverty alone. Economic development is essential, but it must be accompanied by a revival of the values that once defined the region. As Sanusi has repeatedly argued, sustainable progress requires both moral and material development.
The North must invest not only in roads and buildings but also in education, healthcare and the ethical foundations that produce responsible citizens and accountable leaders.
Only then can the region overcome its current challenges and reclaim its place as a centre of stability, learning and opportunity.
Toro lives in Bauchi.