Discover.
Entertain. Live. Asorock
Asorock.com Star · Economist
Muhammadu Sanusi II
Muhammadu Sanusi II is a Nigerian economist, former banker and traditional ruler who governed the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014. Kano State reinstated him as Emir of Kano in 2024 and continues to recognize him in that role, although litigation concerning the emirship remained pending before the Supreme Court in the supplied evidence.
Star Mover ranking
Not ranked in News yet
0 points
No points are shown in this support ranking yet.
Profile
About Muhammadu Sanusi II
Profile information current to .
Nigeria · Economist, Traditional ruler, Banker
Show full profile Hide full profile
- Economist
- Traditional ruler
- Banker
At a glance
- He served as the 10th Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from June 2009 to June 2014.
- The Central Bank of Nigeria credits his governorship with reforms addressing governance, risk-management, fraud, regulatory and supervisory weaknesses in the banking sector.
- He first became Emir of Kano in 2014, was dethroned in 2020 and was reinstated by Kano State in May 2024.
- Kano State recognizes Sanusi as Emir, but reporting in April 2026 said the related Supreme Court case had been adjourned to April 19, 2027.
- The Banker named him its 2011 Central Bank Governor of the Year globally and for Africa, and the UN Secretary-General appointed him as a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate in 2019.
Background and education
Sanusi was born in Kano, Nigeria, on July 31, 1961. Institutional biographies state that he studied economics at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and later obtained a degree in Islamic law from an institution in Khartoum identified as the International University of Africa or Africa International University. He taught economics at Ahmadu Bello University for two years before moving into banking.
Banking and central-bank leadership
Before entering public office, Sanusi held positions at Icon Limited, United Bank for Africa and First Bank of Nigeria, becoming First Bank's Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in January 2009. He began his tenure as the 10th Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on June 3, 2009. The bank's institutional account associates his tenure with reforms introduced after the global financial crisis exposed weaknesses in governance, risk management, fraud controls, regulation and supervision. His recorded term ended on June 2, 2014.
Kano emirship
Sanusi became Emir of Kano in June 2014 and was removed by the Kano State executive council on March 9, 2020. Kano State reinstated him in May 2024 after changing the emirate legal framework, and the state later described a January 2025 Court of Appeal decision as confirming his position. That account is not the final word on the dispute: an April 2026 report said a Supreme Court case involving Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero had been adjourned to April 19, 2027.
Recognition and wider public work
The Banker named Sanusi its 2011 Central Bank Governor of the Year both globally and for Africa. Beyond banking and traditional leadership, the UN Office for Partnerships states that the UN Secretary-General appointed him in 2019 as one of 17 advocates for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Timeline
- Born in Kano, Nigeria.
- Became Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
- Began his recorded tenure as the 10th Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
- Named The Banker's Central Bank Governor of the Year globally and for Africa.
- Became Emir of Kano in his first reign.
- Was dethroned as Emir of Kano by the Kano State executive council.
- Was reinstated as Emir of Kano after Kano State changed the emirate legal framework.
- Kano State Government reported that the Court of Appeal overturned a lower-court ruling that had questioned his reappointment.
Additional verified details
Current context
- Kano State Government reported that the January 10, 2025 Court of Appeal decision left Muhammadu Sanusi II as the recognized ruler of the Kano throne following his 2024 reinstatement. This is the Kano State Government's account of the decision's legal effect and remains subject to the unresolved Supreme Court appeal.
- A Supreme Court case challenging the Court of Appeal decision concerning the Kano emirship was reported as adjourned to April 19, 2027. The pending appeal indicates that the legal dispute involving Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero had not reached final resolution as of the April 20, 2026 report.
Biographical facts
- He was born in Kano, Nigeria, on July 31, 1961.
- Institutional biographies state that he studied economics at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and obtained a degree in Islamic law from an institution in Khartoum identified as the International University of Africa or Africa International University.
- Before becoming central-bank governor, he taught economics for two years at Ahmadu Bello University and held banking roles at Icon Limited, United Bank for Africa and First Bank of Nigeria.
- The Central Bank of Nigeria credits his governorship with banking-sector reforms responding to governance, risk-management, fraud, regulatory and supervisory weaknesses exposed during the global financial crisis.
- The Banker named him its 2011 Central Bank Governor of the Year globally and for Africa.
- The UN Office for Partnerships states that the UN Secretary-General appointed him as one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals Advocates in 2019.
Connections
Affiliations
Affiliations associated with Muhammadu Sanusi II.
- Kano Emirate Emir of Kano, recognized by Kano State pending final resolution of related litigation 2024-05–present
- Central Bank of Nigeria 10th Governor 2009-06-03–2014-06-02
- First Bank of Nigeria Plc Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer 2009-01
News & Content
Latest stories featuring Muhammadu Sanusi II
Searching news and content…