ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY: Nigerian Government Must Prioritize Prevention, Whistleblowing- PRIMORG
Oru Leonard
The Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG), has called on the Nigerian government to prioritize corruption prevention mechanisms in the fight against corruption. This appeal was made on December 9, International Anti-Corruption Day, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly.
PRIMORG emphasized that corruption remains a significant obstacle to peace, security, and sustainable development worldwide. In Nigeria, the organization noted that despite efforts to combat corruption, the government’s approach must change to focus on preventive mechanisms.
Interestingly, this year’s theme for International Anti-Corruption Day is “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.” A campaign designed to highlight young people’s vital role in the fight against corruption.
PRIMORG expressed concerns that corruption continues to pose a significant hindrance to peace, security, and sustainable development around the world. Adding that in Nigeria’s contest, beyond speeches that would be made to mark the 2024 anti-corruption day, taming the deterioration caused by pervasive corruption in the country will be a mirage if the government continues to fight corruption the same way it has done it in the last decade.
In addition, the government must lead the fight against corruption, pursuing it transparently and with accountability. Members of the public, the private sector, civil society organizations, and the general public must also participate in this noble cause.
Quoting the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (CIFIPN), the Executive Director, Augustine Okhiria Agbonsuremi, said; “70 to 75 percent of Nigeria’s national budget is lost to corrupt practices at all levels of governance in the country; Nigeria is said to have lost at least $582 billion since independence due to endemic corruption; While Nigeria is prominently involved in the whopping $88.6billion reportedly lost to illicit financial flows in Africa annually according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“All these and many other corruption cases are frightening and explain why national development is running at a snail’s speed; it is why citizens lack basic amenities, among other deprivations.”
Agbonsuremi also said PRIMORG is not unaware of the Federal Government’s efforts to combat corruption since Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999. Still, it is ostensibly straightforward that the government’s best is below par and not good enough.
He noted that PRIMORG is mindful of the recent announcement of a final forfeiture of an estate in Abuja measuring 150,500 square meters and containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments by the EFCC. However, in lauding the Commission’s efforts, the government’s approach must change in the fight against corruption – preventive mechanisms should be the way to go.
“Earlier in July, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), along with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and EFCC, called for the urgent passage of a robust whistleblower protection law in Nigeria.
“It must be said that Nigeria still has no whistleblowing legislation. By ‘without legislation,’ we mean that Nigeria does not have a comprehensive law protecting whistleblowers. Instead, the country has been running a whistleblower policy since 2016, losing much steam.
“Despite the plea by several civil society groups, past and present Federal Governments remain unable to provide a legal impetus for whistleblowing by enacting whistleblower legislation and fighting against corruption with the necessary grit”, the Executive Director stated.
Interestingly, this year’s theme for International Anti-Corruption Day is “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.” A campaign designed to highlight young people’s vital role in the fight against corruption.
On 2024 Anti-Corruption Day, PRIMORG is advocating for the following:
President Bola Tinubu must know that whistleblowing is a critical tool in the Fight Against Corruption.
The Nigerian Government should prioritize corruption prevention mechanisms in the fight against corruption because of their effectiveness.
Nigerian Government should demonstrate seriousness in the fight against corruption by ensuring swift enactment of whistleblowing and whistleblower protection laws.
A deliberate effort must be made to drastically reduce fraud in national and state budgets.
Governments at all levels must promote and embrace the digitization of their processes, especially revenue collection, to ensure transparency and accountability.
There is a need to improve collaboration between state and non-state actors in fighting corruption.
The government should be deliberate in improving citizens’ understanding of corruption, including its causes, implications, and repercussions.
Nigerian government should adopt naming and shaming of corrupt individuals while promoting Nigerians who display acts of integrity in their walk of life.
PRIMORG’s Executive Director, Augustine Okhiria Agbonsuremi, emphasized that whistleblowing is a critical tool in the fight against corruption. He urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate seriousness in combating corruption by enacting robust whistleblower protection laws.
