Boosting Nigeria’s fight Against Corruption: A Determined Tinubu Takes the Lead
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has articulated President Bola Tinubu’s resolute dedication to bolstering Nigeria’s anti-corruption endeavours. The President is steadfast in his determination to ensure the efficient and prudent utilization of resources to foster sustainable economic growth and development.
During his address to the audience at the United Nations International Anti-corruption Day 2023 in Abuja, Fagbemi delineated the five pillars of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NAC), comprising corruption prevention, public engagement, ethical re-orientation campaigns, enforcement and sanctions, and proceeds of crime recovery and management.
Fagbemi underscored the pivotal role of his office in supervising the implementation of the NACS, with defined key performance indicators to gauge progression. He formalized the commitment to achieving the set objectives by signing a performance bond on November 3, 2023.
The official launch of the NACS 2022-2026 by President Tinubu, in conjunction with the Governors Forum, stands as one of the immediate strategies to fortify the fight against corruption. Additionally, the focus will be on activating an anti-corruption funding framework to underpin these initiatives.
Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), accentuated that corruption continues to pose a significant challenge in Nigeria, with the country ranked 154 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index. In the oil, gas, and mining sectors, corrupt practices are hindering the benefits of industry reforms.
A recent report by NEITI divulged alarming statistics, including the loss of over 619 million barrels of crude oil valued at $46.16 billion to oil theft between 2009 and 2020. The report further highlighted the theft of 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries, valued at $1.84 billion over a period of nine years.
Moreover, Nigeria recorded 7,143 cases of pipeline breakages, resulting in crude theft and product losses of 208.639 million barrels, valued at $12.74 billion between 2017 and 2021. Consequently, over N471.493 billion was expended on repairing or maintaining the damaged pipelines during this period.
Dr. Orji underscored the imperative for a collaborative approach to combat corruption, prioritizing partnerships, data sharing, human capital development, and inter-agency cooperation.
The United States, as echoed by the Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Jason Smith, reiterated its commitment to collaborating with Nigeria and international partners to bolster anti-corruption efforts. Smith underscored that democratic societies thrive when elected governments prioritize the public good over self-interest.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also commended Nigeria for its active participation in the Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) process. Dr. Oliver Stolpe, the UNODC Country Representative, lauded Nigeria’s dedication to combating corruption and encouraged sustained efforts in this regard.
In conclusion, the fight against corruption in Nigeria is a collective responsibility that demands concerted efforts from all stakeholders. The government’s commitment, coupled with international support, signifies a promising future in the battle against corruption, paving the way for transparent and accountable governance.
Emmanuel Addeh’s article provides valuable insights into Nigeria’s ongoing initiatives to curb corruption and establishes a framework for sustained anti-corruption efforts in the country.
