Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON (Ajami: محمد السنوسي, Muhammadu Sanusi na biyu), born on 31 July 1961, is the spiritual leader (Khalifa) of the Tijanniyah Sufi order in Nigeria and the Emir (Sarki) of Kano. Sanusi, a member of the Dabo dynasty, ascended to the throne on 8 June 2014, succeeding his great-uncle Ado Bayero.

He is known for his efforts to promote cultural reform in Northern Nigeria. However, in 2020, he was dethroned by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and replaced by his cousin, Aminu Ado Bayero. Remarkably, on 23 May 2024, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinstated him as the 16th Fulani Emir of Kano.

Sanusi is a prominent traditional and religious figure in West Africa, holding significant influence as the Khalifa of the Tijaniyyah Sufi order, which boasts over 50 million adherents. He grew up in the royal palace and received both religious and secular education.

Before becoming Emir, Sanusi had a distinguished career as an Islamic intellectual, academic, political economist, and banker. He served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, where he implemented significant banking reforms and exposed a $20 billion oil scandal.

Sanusi's early life was deeply rooted in both his royal heritage and extensive education. Born in Kano to a ruling-class Fulani family, he grew up in the palace of his great-uncle Ado Bayero. His father, Aminu Sanusi, was a prince and diplomat. Sanusi's education included religious studies at home, a stint at St. Anne's Primary School, and secondary education at King's College, Lagos.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981, followed by a master's degree in Economics in 1983. Sanusi also studied Islamic studies in Khartoum, where he became fluent in Arabic and familiarized himself with the four Sunni madhhabs.

Sanusi's career in banking began in 1985 at Icon Limited, and he later worked at the United Bank for Africa and First Bank of Nigeria, where he became the CEO in 2009. As Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he led critical reforms during the global financial crisis, rescuing banks and promoting financial stability.

His tenure was marked by his introduction of the cashless policy and support for Islamic banking. Despite his successes, his tenure was also controversial, notably for his criticism of government spending and exposure of corruption in the oil sector. On 9 March 2020, Sanusi was dethroned by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Sanusi, who was at his private residence in Gidan Rumfa, learned of his removal as police, military, and security operatives stormed the palace.

Accepting his dethronement as a divine act, Sanusi urged his supporters to remain calm, avoid bloodshed, and declare bay'ah to his successor, Aminu Ado Bayero, drawing a parallel to his grandfather Muhammadu Sanusi I, who was also deposed in 1963.

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