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Oby Ezekwesili, the former Minister of Education, speaks against corruption in Nigeria. She delivered this message during her keynote lecture at the Citadel School of Government (CSG) official opening and the induction of the pioneer class of its Advanced Diploma in Public Leadership and Statecraft.
The event, which was in partnership with the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS), was held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Citadel Multipurpose Hall, Oregun, Lagos.
Oby described corruption as a cancer that starts gently and becomes bigger if not confronted. She lamented that if everybody shared the belief that if we can’t beat them, join them, the incoming generations will become a mess of pottage.
Additionally, she criticised those who are unfazed by the country’s failure, insisting that she cannot align with such indifference.
“We must stop normalising corruption. No matter how competent you are, if you lack character, you will go nowhere. Building Nigeria requires people who are restless about nation building, people willing to take a stand when others choose compromise,” she said.
According to the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) rankings, Nigeria is the 36th most corrupt country in the world.
