President Tinubu’s Commitment to Eradicate Corruption Reaffirmed by AGF Fagbemi
The recent address by Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, at an event commemorating the United Nations Anti-Corruption Day 2023 in Abuja, brought to light President Bola Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to combating corruption in Nigeria across all echelons. Fagbemi underscored the government’s readiness to fully implement Nigeria’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) for 2022-2026.
This year’s commemoration, marking the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), has adopted the theme “UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption.” Fagbemi revealed that the NACS implementation framework focuses on five pillars: Prevention of Corruption, Public Engagement, Campaign for Ethical Re-orientation, Enforcement and Sanction, and Recovery and Management of Proceeds of Crime.
He further stated that the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) would be inaugurated, and the NACS 2022-2026 launched in the first quarter of 2024, underscoring President Tinubu’s determination to strengthen the fight against corruption and ensure prudent resource utilization for sustainable economic growth and development following a successful election and transition.
Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), acknowledged the substantial efforts made in the fight against corruption since Nigeria’s adoption of UNCAC 20 years ago. However, he highlighted that Nigeria’s recent Corruption Perception Index ranking of 154 out of 180 countries indicates the nation’s ongoing struggle in combatting corruption.
Dr. Orji underscored the prevalence of corruption in the oil, gas, mining, and extractive industries, impeding the realization of crucial reforms recommended in NEITI’s industry reports. He lamented the challenges faced by Nigeria, including oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal mining, resulting in significant revenue losses.
One of the statistics presented was the staggering loss of over 619 million barrels of crude oil, valued at $46.16 billion or N16.25 trillion, between 2009 and 2020. Moreover, Nigeria witnessed the disappearance of 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries, amounting to US$1.84 billion.
Mrs. Jane Onwumere, the Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-corruption Reforms (TUGAR), elucidated that the 2023 theme of “20 years of implementation of the Convention” offers an opportunity for UNCAC states parties to assess their progress, celebrate achievements, and address challenges strategically.
She emphasized the event’s significance in evaluating the level of Convention implementation, celebrating accomplishments, and proactively addressing challenges to define future actions on both local and international fronts.
The resolute commitment of President Tinubu and the government’s determination to fight corruption, in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, sends a strong message of accountability and transparency. These efforts, combined with the collaboration and support of all sectors, will undoubtedly steer Nigeria towards a future free from the clutches of corruption.
