Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, has received the sum of N442 million ($324,000) in remuneration from MTN Group for the 2025 financial year, reflecting improved earnings by Africa’s largest mobile telecommunications operator and the growing influence of non-executive directors in corporate governance.

The payment represents an increase from the N412 million he earned in the previous year, according to the company’s latest disclosures on board remuneration.

Sanusi, who joined the MTN Board in July 2019, earned R1.82 million (about N148 million) as retainer fees for his role as a non-executive director.

He also received R1.37 million (approximately N112 million) for attending board meetings, in addition to other payments linked to strategy sessions and special board assignments.

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

These Committees play a critical role in supervising the company’s operations and compliance across its multiple markets in Africa, notably 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 presence on the Board has also been seen as strategic for MTN, given his extensive background 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.

Beyond his role at MTN, the Kano monarch chairs Black Rhino Management Services Limited and holds several corporate directorships across Africa, reflecting his continued influence in both traditional leadership and corporate governance circles.

Before ascending the throne, Sanusi built a distinguished career in finance, including serving as chief executive officer of First Bank of Nigeria.

Apart from his corporate engagements, the Emir remains a highly 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. (BusinessDay, but headline reworked)

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