The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has condemned violence against women and the practice of child marriage, declaring that cultural traditions cannot be used as an excuse for abuse.
The traditional ruler stressed that all Nigerians are equal before the law and deserve protection, irrespective of customs or long-held practices. He made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television.
Sanusi stated that culture should never be invoked to justify the beating or maltreatment of women. “You cannot beat a woman because your culture says you can beat her. She’s a Nigerian citizen entitled to protection,” he said.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria further explained that acts of abuse often blamed on culture are in fact rooted in deeper societal challenges. According to him, unequal power relations, widespread poverty and the failure of government to provide basic social services create conditions that enable abuse to thrive.
He argued that focusing solely on culture distracts from addressing these fundamental problems, noting that when people lack education, economic opportunities and social support, vulnerable groups—especially women and children—are more exposed to violence and exploitation.
Sanusi urged Nigerians and policymakers to confront these underlying issues, insisting that genuine progress in protecting women and ending child marriage would only come from strengthening institutions, reducing poverty and ensuring that the rights guaranteed by law are upheld for all citizens.
