- As International Anti-Corruption Day raises awareness about corruption globally, Nigeria's ongoing challenges were spotlighted
- Former President Obasanjo emphasised that tackling corruption must begin with accountability at the highest levels of government
- Obasanjo stressed the need for daily, consistent efforts in the fight against corruption, likening it to a hydra-headed problem
As the world marks International Anti-Corruption Day today, Monday, December 9, a closer look at Nigeria’s corruption index revealed one of the deep-rooted challenges that continue to hinder the country’s progress.
Nigeria remains among the most corrupt nations globally, according to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
Nigeria’s corruption score highlights struggles
The global anti-corruption watchdog reported that Nigeria scored 25 points out of 100 on the 2023 CPI, reflecting the ongoing struggles with corruption in the country.
Since 1996, Nigeria’s average score on the Corruption Perceptions Index has been 21.48 points, peaking at 28 points in 2016 and dipping to a record low of 6.90 points in 1996.
The CPI ranks countries and territories based on the perceived level of corruption within their public sectors. A score of 0 represents a country perceived as highly corrupt, while a score of 100 indicates a very clean public sector.
During an interactive Zoom session on the evening of Sunday, December 8, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said that Nigeria’s battle against corruption could only be effective if it began with accountability at the highest levels of government.
“The best way of fighting corruption is starting from the head, that is where corruption has to be fought from,” Obasanjo stated.
Obasanjo calls for leadership accountability
Speaking further on the interactive session which was broadcasted by private radio stations in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the former president emphasised that leaders should set the standard for integrity, adding that a consistent and daily effort is required to combat corruption in the country.
He further said, “Corruption is very hydra-headed and eats deep. I think it was the Sultan of Sokoto, the father of the present Sultan, who said corruption is like a ‘babariga’; if you are folding it on one side, it’s falling apart on the other side. When you carry it on both sides, you cannot hold your hands up and as soon as you put your hands down, it’s falling apart. And that’s corruption.
“It’s not a one-day affair. It’s not a one-regime affair. It’s not even a two-regime affair. It has to be consistent. It has to be continual. It has to be a daily affair. Once one regime is let off, it spreads.”
Obasanjo discusses divine, satanic forces in leadership
Speaking further, the ex-president said, “So I will say most leaders are prepared by God and they put in place by God and when that happens the chances of success are higher than when you make yourself a leader which may not be the act of God.
“And again people saying all leaders are made by God, I don’t accept that. A leader can also be made by Satan. In the case of Job, you can remember Satan was going up and down and went before God and God was commending Job but Satan said Job was upright to God because he has gotten from God.
“We must accept that Satan is real and he has power, he has no salvation but he has power and the power of Satan must not be underrated,” Obasanjo added.
“Start from yourself”: Nigerians react as Tinubu vows to tackle corruption
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu pledged to tackle corruption and said no Nigerian will be spared.
Nigerians reacted, some told him to start fighting corruption from himself and his fellow politicians.