Alhaji Sir Muhammadu Sanusi I KBE (pronunciationⓘ) was the Acting Governor of Northern Nigeria (1957) and Emir of Kano from 1954 to 1963.

He hosted a grand durbar festival for Elizabeth II when she visited Kano in 1956.

The power tussle between him and his distant cousin Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto and accusations of financial malfeasance led to his abdication, and subsequent self-exile in Azare 1963.

Prior to becoming Emir, Sanusi held the title of Ciroma Kano [5] and in 1947, he became a member of the regional House of Assembly.

[7] In his memoir 'An Imperial Twilight', Sir Gawain Bell narrates how he appointed Emir Sanusi to act in his stead as Governor of Northern Nigeria for six months in 1957.