The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has strongly spoken against violence toward women and the practice of child marriage, saying culture can never be used as an excuse for abuse.
In an interview on Wednesday, Sanusi made it clear that every Nigerian, including women and children, has the right to protection under the law.
“You cannot beat a woman because your culture says you can beat her,” he said. “She is a Nigerian citizen and the law protects her.”
According to the Emir, what many people describe as “culture” is often the result of poverty, unequal power, and the failure of government to provide basic services. He explained that violence against women is not unique to Africa or any culture, but happens when men have power and women are not protected.
“When men have power and women are not protected, men abuse that power,” Sanusi said, adding that women, children, the poor, and persons with disabilities are usually the victims.
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The Emir also spoke on child marriage, especially in rural areas. He explained that many girls complete primary school at about 11 years old but have no access to secondary schools, skill centres, or safe environments. This leaves families with few options. He said many parents fear that their daughters may become pregnant while moving around unsafe roads or long distances, so they choose to marry them off early. According to him, this decision is often driven by poverty, not tradition.
“It’s easy to blame culture or blame the victim,” Sanusi said. “But the government has not provided schools, roads, or basic services.”
“No matter what you think your culture says, Nigerian law does not allow it,” he said.
Sanusi concluded that many harmful practices blamed on tradition are actually abuses of power. He described them as a “culture of oppression” and insisted that Nigeria must change if it is to protect its most vulnerable people.
