Sanusi II to Shettima: “Kano, Not Lagos, Built Dangote and Rabiu’s Business Foundations”

 

Kano, Nigeria— The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has pushed back on recent comments by Vice President Kashim Shettima, asserting that Kano, not Lagos, provided the business foundations for Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and billionaire industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu.

Sanusi made the remarks while addressing members of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, in Kano on Thursday. He used the platform to highlight Kano’s historical role as a commercial hub and what he described as a “cradle of entrepreneurial success” in West Africa.

Emir Defends Kano’s Commercial Legacy

The Emir argued that Kano’s centuries-old trading traditions, commodity markets, and merchant culture created the environment where Dangote and Rabiu first developed their business models. Both industrialists trace their early ventures to Kano before expanding nationally and internationally.

“Kano has long been the center of commerce. It is here that the foundations were laid for enterprises that today dominate Africa’s economy,” Sanusi said. He stressed that the city’s reputation as a trading hub predates Nigeria’s modern economic structure and continues to shape the country’s business landscape.

Context of Shettima’s Remarks 

The Emir’s comments come in response to recent remarks by Vice President Shettima crediting Lagos with nurturing some of Nigeria’s biggest business empires. Shettima had pointed to Lagos as the commercial capital that enabled the growth of major Nigerian conglomerates.

Sanusi’s rebuttal has reignited debate over which Nigerian city deserves credit for producing the country’s most influential entrepreneurs. Supporters of Kano cite its historical trans-Saharan trade routes and groundnut pyramid era, while Lagos proponents point to its modern financial institutions, ports, and corporate headquarters.

Kano’s Reputation as Business Incubator 

During the ICSAN event, Sanusi underscored that Kano’s commercial identity goes beyond individual success stories. He urged policymakers to invest more in the state’s markets, infrastructure, and institutions to revive its traditional role as a driver of northern Nigeria’s economy.

ICSAN members at the event praised the Emir for spotlighting Kano’s contributions to Nigeria’s private sector and called for more recognition of regional business histories in national economic discussions.

Neither the Vice President’s office nor the Dangote Group has responded publicly to Sanusi’s remarks as of press time.