As the world observes International Anti-Corruption Day, Nigeria’s fight against corruption remains at the forefront of the nation’s struggles.
The alarming levels of corruption have long hindered Nigeria’s growth, both economically and socially.
In a passionate statement on December 9, Peter Obi, a prominent Nigerian politician, echoed the concerns of many Nigerians, stressing that only honest and transparent leadership can reverse the corruption crisis.
Obi, reflecting on the deepening corruption in Nigeria, pointed to a recent report from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The report highlighted the devastating impact of corruption, which has left Nigeria grappling with severe economic instability and social decay.
The country’s corruption perception index stands at 145 out of 180 countries, painting a grim picture of Nigeria’s place on the global stage.
Obi emphasized that these corruption levels must be tackled head-on if Nigeria is to ever achieve meaningful progress.
“I agree wholeheartedly with the ICPC report. Corruption is the primary cause of our national stagnation,” Obi said.
The nation’s inability to progress, despite having abundant resources, is largely due to the systemic corruption that pervades government institutions.
For years, Nigeria has suffered from the mismanagement of public funds, with issues such as budget padding, the misallocation of funds, and the abuse of public office for personal gain.
Obi pointed out that the abuse is not limited to one sector but is rampant across all levels of government.
“The corruption we see today is not just a few bad apples; it is systemic and deeply entrenched across all arms of government,” he stated.
These corrupt practices have led to a national debt crisis, with the government borrowing heavily while providing little accountability for how these funds are used.
Despite borrowing billions, Nigerians have seen no significant infrastructure development or improvement in key sectors.
“In 2021 alone, the Auditor General uncovered financial mismanagement to the tune of N3.403 trillion in government ministries, departments, and agencies. This amount is over 20% of the nation’s total budget for the year,” Obi revealed.
This staggering figure highlights the vast scale of the problem. It represents a serious misuse of resources that could have otherwise been used to improve infrastructure, health, education, and the economy.
“The money meant for the welfare of Nigerians is being siphoned off by corrupt officials,” Obi continued, his frustration evident.
The situation is made worse by Nigeria’s high debt profile. The country continues to borrow extensively, but there is no clear evidence of any productive use of these loans.
“Where are the investments that should result from these loans? What do we have to show for it?” Obi asked, raising a critical question that many Nigerians are asking themselves.
The current debt, combined with the mismanagement of public resources, has placed a heavy burden on the nation’s future generations.
Obi called for a stronger and more decisive approach from Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, urging them to focus on the critical issues that affect the nation’s survival.
“Agencies like the EFCC and ICPC must focus on the most critical cases—oil theft, bribery, political favoritism, and misappropriation of funds,” he said.
Obi stressed that the fight against corruption cannot be left to chance. It requires strong leadership and a commitment to ethical governance.
“Corrupt practices such as budget padding and the collection of bribes for political appointments must be stamped out,” he insisted.
For Nigeria to progress, there must be a concerted effort from both leaders and citizens. The leadership must act as role models by practicing transparency and accountability.
“Leaders must rise above corruption. When the leaders are not corrupt, corruption is reduced by over 60%. The remaining challenges are easier to tackle,” Obi stated firmly.
Obi’s message was clear: a new Nigeria is possible, but it requires a fundamental shift in how leadership and governance are approached.
“Nigeria can rise again, but only if we rid ourselves of the corruption that holds us back. A new Nigeria is possible, and it begins with us,” Obi concluded.
