Muhammadu Sanusi II, the former Emir of Kano, has been awarded a doctorate after successfully completing his Viva Voce, the oral examination required for the completion of a PhD, News About Nigeria reports.
The announcement was made by Kadaria Ahmed, CEO of RadioNow 95.3FM, who shared the news on her Facebook page.
Sanusi’s PhD 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,” was accepted without the need for any amendments or corrections.
Ahmed expressed her delight at the news, writing, “Happy to report, our Khalifa, our King, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, is now also a Doctor having successfully done his Viva Voce. His PhD was approved as submitted without any amendments or corrections. The examiners said, congratulations, Dr. Sanusi!”
In a video shared online, Sanusi was visibly emotional as he received the news that his thesis had been accepted without correction.
The video showed the former Emir being congratulated in a virtual meeting with the examiners.
Sanusi began his PhD programme after being deposed as Emir by the then-Governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, in 2020.
Following his dethronement, Sanusi relocated to the United Kingdom to focus on his studies.
Approximately five months later, he was granted a visiting fellowship at the African Studies Centre of the University of Oxford.
In addition to his recent academic achievement, Sanusi was awarded an honorary doctorate in finance by the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London in 2019.
He previously earned a second bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies and fiqh from the Africa International University in Khartoum, Sudan, in 1997, having initially graduated with a degree in Economics in 1981.
Sanusi, who also served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is widely regarded as one of the most educated individuals to have held the position of a traditional monarch in Nigeria.
His academic and professional accomplishments continue to draw admiration both within and outside the country.
