- He pointed out that many girls complete primary education at an early age but have no access to secondary schools
- He explained that women, children, persons with disabilities and the poor are usually the hardest hit
- He maintained that acts of violence often defended as “culture” are, in reality, products of inequality, poverty and weak governance
Nigeria’s legal and moral standards must take precedence over harmful traditions, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said, as he spoke out strongly against domestic violence and child marriage.
In an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday,Eko Hot Blog report that the former Central Bank governor stressed that no cultural belief can excuse abuse, noting that women are citizens who deserve full protection under Nigerian law.
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He maintained that acts of violence often defended as “culture” are, in reality, products of inequality, poverty and weak governance.
Sanusi argued that abuse is a global problem and not unique to African societies. According to him, whenever power is concentrated in the hands of men and vulnerable groups are left unprotected, oppression becomes inevitable.
He explained that women, children, persons with disabilities and the poor are usually the hardest hit.
Turning to the issue of child marriage, the Emir urged Nigerians to examine the deeper social and economic conditions driving the practice, especially in rural areas.
He pointed out that many girls complete primary education at an early age but have no access to secondary schools, vocational centres or safe spaces to continue their development.
He questioned what options exist for a girl between the ages of 11 and 18 in impoverished communities, explaining that parents often act out of fear and desperation.
In such situations, he said, families worry about safety, unintended pregnancies and the absence of state support, leading them to marry off young girls prematurely.
The traditional ruler criticised urban narratives that place sole blame on culture without acknowledging rural realities.
He noted that in many villages, schools are far away, roads are unsafe and basic government services are either inadequate or completely absent.
“It is easy to accuse culture or blame the victim,” he said, adding that the failure of authorities to provide education and infrastructure plays a major role in sustaining harmful practices.
While recognising the complexity of the challenges, Sanusi insisted that the country must uphold shared values rooted in law and human dignity.
He emphasised that violence against women and children is unacceptable under any circumstance, regardless of cultural interpretation.
He concluded by warning that many practices defended as tradition are actually abuses of power, describing them as a system of oppression maintained through violence and exploitation.
According to him, Nigeria must confront these realities if it hopes to safeguard its most vulnerable citizens.
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