In 2024, Sanusi became the 16th Fulani Emir of Kano, the second highest Muslim authority in the land (the Sultan of Sokoto being the first) and the spiritual leader of the Tijanniyah Sufi order. He had already served as the 14th Emir before being dethroned by the Governor of Kano in 2020. Sanusi is the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (2009-2014), and a respected Islamic scholar who has won numerous awards. He has pointed out corruption in previous governments, pushed for an end to child marriage, and been targeted by Boko Haram.