Emir Sanusi earns N442m from MTN

 

Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, earned a total of N442 million ($324,000) from MTN Group for the 2025 financial year, underscoring a rise in earnings by Africa’s largest mobile telecommunications company and highlighting the expanding role of non-executive directors in corporate governance.

The latest disclosure on board remuneration shows that the figure is higher than the N412 million he received in the preceding year.

Sanusi, who became a member of the MTN Board in July 2019, was paid R1.82 million (about N148 million) as retainer fees in his capacity as a non-executive director.

He also received R1.37 million (approximately N112 million) for attending board meetings, alongside additional payments tied to strategy engagements and special assignments undertaken for the board.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sits on several key committees within the telecoms group, including the Risk Management, Finance, and Social Ethics Committees.

These committees are central to overseeing the company’s operations and ensuring compliance across its various African markets, particularly Nigeria and Ghana.

Industry analysts say the remuneration reflects both the responsibilities attached to board-level oversight in large multinational corporations and the growing emphasis on strong governance structures in Africa’s telecom sector.

Sanusi’s role on the board is also considered strategic for MTN, given his deep experience in banking regulation and economic policy. During his tenure at the Central Bank between 2009 and 2014, he spearheaded far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s banking sector following the global financial crisis.

Outside MTN, the Kano monarch chairs Black Rhino Management Services Limited and holds multiple directorships across the continent, underlining his continued relevance in both corporate governance and traditional leadership.

Before becoming Emir, Sanusi built a notable career in the financial sector, including serving as chief executive officer of First Bank of Nigeria.

Beyond his corporate roles, he remains an influential traditional and religious leader in Northern Nigeria.

He is also regarded as a prominent figure within the Tijaniyya Sufi Order, where he serves as a spiritual leader.

(BUSINESS DAY)