Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, has achieved another academic milestone, earning a doctorate in Islamic Law from the University of London, United Kingdom.
In a touching video, Sanusi appeared visibly emotional after being informed that his thesis had been approved without any corrections.
The moment was captured during a virtual meeting, where the monarch was congratulated for his academic accomplishment.
Sanusi’s doctoral thesis, titled “Codification of Islamic Family Law as an Instrument of Social Reform: A Case Study of the Emirate of Kano and Comparison with the Kingdom of Morocco,” explores the role of Islamic family law in driving social change.
The journey towards his PhD began after Sanusi was deposed as Emir of Kano by then-governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2020.
Following his removal, Sanusi relocated to the UK, where he dedicated himself to his studies.
In the months following his dethronement, Sanusi was also granted a visiting fellowship at the African Studies Centre of the University of Oxford.
This academic achievement is the latest in a series of honours for Sanusi. In 2019, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in finance by the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor also holds a second bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies from the Africa International University in Khartoum, Sudan, which he earned in 1997.
His academic journey began in 1981 with a degree in Economics.
Sanusi’s educational background and intellectual pursuits make him one of the most educated individuals to have ever held a traditional title in Nigeria.