Portal:Nigeria/Selected biography/23

Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON (Ajami: محمد السنوسي, Muhammadu Sanusi na biyu ; born 31 July 1961), known by the religious title Khalifa Sanusi II (Ajami: خليفة السنوسي), is the current emir (Sarki) of the ancient city-state of Kano, and a spiritual leader in the Tijanniyah Sufi order of Nigeria. He is a member of the Dabo dynasty. He was born in Kano in 1961 into the royal family as the grandson of Muhammadu Sanusi I. He succeeded his great-uncle Ado Bayero to the throne on 8 June 2014, taking the name Muhammadu Sanusi II, and becoming the 14th Emir of Kano. As the 14th Emir (Sarki) of the ancient city-state of Kano, he spent most of his reign advocating for cultural reform in Northern Nigeria.

In 2020, he was dethroned by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and was succeeded by Aminu Ado Bayero. On 23 May 2024, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinstated him to the throne making him the 16th and current emir of Kano.

Sanusi is a prominent traditional and religious figure in West Africa. As the Khalifa of the Tijaniyyah Sufi order of Nigeria and the neighbouring countries, he arguably has a politico-spiritual authority over the second largest Sufi order, with over 50 million adherents. He grew up in the royal palace of his grand-uncle, and as a youth received both religious and secular education. Prior to his accession, Sanusi was an Islamic intellectual, academic, political economist and banker. He served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, ushering in banking reforms until his suspension after he brought to light the $20 billion oil scandal.