Corruption in Nigeria is no longer just a problem—it has become a way of life for those in power. It is the silent killer that has stolen our future, robbed our children of quality education, denied the sick proper healthcare, and forced millions into untold hardship.
Every year, billions of naira meant for development vanish into the pockets of the elite. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, Nigeria consistently ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regularly exposes staggering amounts of looted funds, yet few are truly held accountable. Politicians and public officials, entrusted with the nation’s wealth, continue to steal with impunity, while ordinary citizens suffer the consequences.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office in May 2023, he promised Nigerians renewed hope. He spoke about ending corruption, fixing the economy, and improving security. Instead, Nigerians have witnessed the worst economic hardship in decades.
One of Tinubu’s first actions was the removal of fuel subsidy without a proper plan to cushion the effects. While this move was justified as a way to save the economy, it only made life unbearable for the masses. Overnight, petrol prices skyrocketed from N185 per liter to over N600, and in some areas, it has gone as high as N900 per liter. Transportation costs tripled, businesses shut down, and inflation spiraled out of control. Meanwhile, government officials continue to enjoy lavish lifestyles, traveling in convoys of expensive SUVs fueled by public money.
The naira has also suffered a historic crash under Tinubu’s government. When he took office, $1 was around N460; today, it trades at over N1,600, making imports more expensive and driving the cost of goods beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians. Despite these hardships, the government has done little to provide relief. Instead, we have seen reckless borrowing, mismanagement, and excessive government spending.
Tinubu’s government has also failed in the fight against corruption. Appointments have been made based on political favoritism rather than competence. Many individuals facing corruption allegations have been given key government positions. Instead of holding the corrupt accountable, the government is rewarding them.
The Nigerian Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, has become a symbol of greed and irresponsibility. Instead of serving the people, this Senate has been busy approving extravagant budgets for themselves while ordinary Nigerians suffer.
One of the most shameful acts of Akpabio’s Senate was the N70 billion “holiday allowance” given to lawmakers while Nigerians were struggling to survive the effects of subsidy removal. The same Senate also approved N500 billion in palliatives, which were supposed to ease the suffering of the people, but no one knows where that money went.
Senators and House of Representatives members continue to allocate billions to themselves while healthcare workers, teachers, and civil servants beg for better salaries. The same government that tells Nigerians there is no money for wage increases continues to spend recklessly on luxury projects and outrageous allowances.
Akpabio himself is no stranger to corruption allegations. As a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, his tenure was filled with accusations of embezzlement and mismanagement of funds. Yet, under Tinubu’s government, he has been rewarded with one of the most powerful positions in the country.
Nigeria is one of the largest oil producers in the world, yet over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). How do we reconcile such wealth with such suffering? The answer is simple—corruption.
The power sector is a perfect example. Since 1999, Nigeria has spent over $20 billion on electricity reforms, yet power supply remains epileptic. Who benefits from this failure? The same corrupt officials who pocket funds meant for power projects while forcing Nigerians to rely on expensive generators.
Inflation is at an all-time high. A bag of rice that cost N30,000 in 2023 now sells for N80,000 or more. Basic food items, transportation, rent, and healthcare have all become luxuries for the average Nigerian. Yet, instead of addressing these issues, the government is busy increasing taxes, making life even more difficult.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the new administration, has been in a state of chaos. After the disgraceful removal of the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, new leadership was appointed, but the naira has continued to depreciate. Nigerians are left to suffer while politicians and their allies continue to exploit the system.
While politicians travel in luxury, millions of Nigerians die from preventable diseases. The country’s healthcare system is in ruins, yet our leaders travel abroad for medical treatment at taxpayers’ expense. In 2021 alone, former President Muhammadu Buhari spent over 200 days in the UK for medical treatment, while Nigerian hospitals lacked basic equipment. Tinubu has continued the same practice, traveling frequently for “medical check-ups” while hospitals in Nigeria remain underfunded and understaffed.
Education is no better. Nigerian universities have suffered from constant strikes due to government neglect. While students are forced to spend extra years at home, the children of the elite school abroad with stolen funds. Over 20 million Nigerian children are out of school, the highest in the world, yet lawmakers allocate billions to themselves in bogus allowances.
Nigeria is not poor; it is being robbed. While the average Nigerian struggles to afford food due to rising inflation, political officeholders continue to allocate outrageous salaries and perks to themselves. A Nigerian senator earns over N13.5 million monthly in allowances—one of the highest in the world—yet the minimum wage remains a shameful N30,000 (less than $40).
Even worse, those responsible for this corruption continue to recycle themselves in power. The same faces appear in every election, promising change but delivering nothing. They use ethnic and religious divisions to keep Nigerians distracted while they loot the nation dry. And when the people attempt to protest, they are met with brutal suppression, just as we saw during the #EndSARS movement in 2020.
We cannot continue to accept this as normal. We, the people, are the real leaders. Without us, they are nothing. Without our votes, our labor, and our resources, they have no power. It is time for Nigerians to demand true leadership. It is time to hold these thieves accountable.
We must stop selling our votes for bags of rice and empty promises. We must stop allowing fear to silence us. We must demand transparency, accountability, and real change.
For how long will we continue to suffer in silence? Nigeria belongs to us all, not just to a corrupt few. The time to act is now!
By: Godwin Offor
