‘Culture is not an excuse for violence’ – Emir Sanusi challenges traditional institutions on National Development

By Shamsudeen Abubakar

The Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Lamido II, has challenged traditional institutions and societal norms in Nigeria, warning against the misuse of culture to justify violence, oppression, and the denial of fundamental human rights.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Traditional Institutions and National Development, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria argued that poverty, inequality, and weak institutions, not culture, are the real drivers of abuse and violence in society.

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He said, “Violence happens in all societies. It’s not about African culture; it’s about power relations. Where men have power and women are not protected, men will take advantage of that power to oppress them.”

Emir Sanusi stressed that victims of violence are overwhelmingly the most vulnerable members of society, including women, children, the poor, and persons with disabilities.

“If you go to the hospitals, you will see people who are crippled, lying down, and victims of violence. We also have people suffering from sexual abuse,” he noted.

He emphasised that Nigeria is governed by constitutional laws, not customs that permit abuse, insisting that cultural beliefs cannot override citizens’ rights.

“You cannot beat a woman because your culture says you should beat her. She is a Nigerian citizen entitled to protection. It doesn’t matter what you think; these are the values we live by in this time,” he said.

Addressing child welfare, the Emir underscored the legal right of every child to education, lamenting the lack of enforcement and government accountability.

“Every child is entitled to education. If you take a child out of school, you are supposed to have committed an offence,” he stated. “How many people have ever been arrested for taking children out of school? Do you know why? Because the government has not provided the schools.”

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On the sensitive issue of child marriage, Emir Sanusi urged Nigerians to move beyond moral condemnation and confront the underlying economic realities that fuel the practice.

“The poor man is afraid she may get pregnant on the road. So the next young man who comes to marry her is allowed. This so-called culture basically reflects poverty,” he explained.

He called on governments at all levels to invest meaningfully in education and social infrastructure, including building schools, equipping them properly, and employing qualified teachers.

Despite acknowledging the complexity of Nigeria’s social challenges, the Emir insisted that certain values must remain non-negotiable.

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“It is simply not acceptable to beat a woman. Nigerian law does not allow it. You cannot abuse a child. That becomes the culture we must have,” he said.

He concluded by rejecting the notion that oppression is rooted in tradition.

“Many of these things are not even culture; they are people taking advantage of power to exploit and abuse, finding justification in the name of culture. It is a culture of oppression—and that culture must change.”
ion in Nigeria