Reactions Trail Emir Sanusi’s Return To Classroom

The decision of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to enrol for a law degree at the Northwest University, Kano, has continued to generate widespread reactions, with many Nigerians hailing it as inspirational, while others raise concerns about its impact on the traditional classroom environment.

The emir, who was seen attending lectures alongside 200-level law students, said his enrolment was the fulfillment of a lifelong academic aspiration, stressing that law remains central to the building of a just and orderly society.

Speaking after a lecture at the university on Thursday, Sanusi said that despite holding advanced degrees, including a PhD, he had always desired to formally study law, describing the classroom as his “default space.”

“I am happiest when I am studying or teaching. Law is all around us; it governs our families, our contracts, our property, succession and even how we drive on the road. It is the safeguard for a decent and stable society,” the emir said.

He clarified that his decision had nothing to do with past legal battles, noting that the choice was purely intellectual and personal.

“The day you don’t have law and order, the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must,” he added.

Sanusi explained that he chose Northwest University because it offered him admission and is owned by Kano State, saying Nigerians must learn to trust and support local institutions.

Sanusi said his royal duties will not suffer despite his enrolment for the law degree, adding that he has structured his schedule to balance his academic and traditional responsibilities.

“I am a student in the morning and emir in the afternoon. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are for classes, while Mondays and Fridays I sit at normal hours. When I cannot attend physically, I join virtually,” he said.

Reactions

While many Nigerians praised the move as a strong message on lifelong learning, some social media users expressed concern that the emir’s presence could unintentionally intimidate younger students.

Reacting on Facebook, Halima Ahmad Matazu said that although she admired Sanusi’s humility and intellect, having a traditional ruler of such stature in a regular classroom could silence students.

“The classroom is supposed to be a sanctuary of irreverence, a place where young people can be loud, wrong and unpolished. But when a first-class traditional ruler sits in the back row, the room becomes a court,” she wrote, adding that the real test would be whether the emir could “shrink his presence enough to let others grow.”

Another user, Aminu Ibrahim, noted that the situation could have both positive and negative effects, depending on how it is managed by the university.

“If managed well, it will enhance learning, but if there is unfair treatment, other students may lose focus,” he said.

Sani Isah urged the emir to fully blend in with fellow students, saying, “You are pursuing a common goal with your colleagues; therefore, don’t dress differently.”

Stan Ugah said the move should inspire Northern governors to address educational challenges such as the Almajiri problem, while Abdulkareem Hassan Olayinka described Sanusi as “an inspiration,” adding that his presence alone could make students take their studies more seriously.

For his part, Sanusi said he was impressed by the discipline and commitment of the students, noting that education has no age limit.

“Nobody is too young or too old to go to school. The more education you have, the better a citizen you become,” he said.

He also called on the government and the private sector to invest more in education, especially in infrastructure, power supply and staff welfare.

“Our human capital is our greatest resource. Producing high-quality professionals who will shape the future of our institutions is extremely important,” the emir said. (Daily trust)