Otti: If You Look Beyond The Federal Level, Many Of The Governors Doing Well Were Bankers — Sanusi
In a recent video shared on Symfoni TV, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi spoke on governance quality, leadership background, and the performance of public office holders across different levels of government in Nigeria.
During the interview, Sanusi stated, “If you look beyond the federal level, many of the governors doing well were bankers.” He made the remark while assessing leadership patterns and highlighting the professional backgrounds of some high-performing state executives, including Alex Otti.
He explained that individuals with experience in the financial sector often bring discipline, structure, and result-oriented thinking into governance, which can translate into improved service delivery and project execution.
Sanusi noted that banking as a profession demands accountability, target-setting, and efficiency, qualities he believes are critical in managing public resources and driving development at the state level.
He said that while not all successful leaders come from finance backgrounds, there appears to be a noticeable trend among certain governors who have demonstrated measurable progress in infrastructure, economic management, and public administration.
The former emir emphasized that governance requires a strong understanding of resource allocation and fiscal responsibility, adding that such competencies are often sharpened in the private sector.
He also pointed out that leadership effectiveness should not be judged solely by political affiliation but by the ability to deliver tangible results that improve citizens’ lives.
Sanusi argued that Nigeria’s development would benefit from attracting more competent and experienced professionals into public office, particularly those with proven records in structured industries.
