The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has lauded Nigeria’s growing resolve against corruption, citing a shift in public attitudes and an emerging culture of integrity. Speaking at the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration on Monday, themed Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity, UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Toure highlighted significant progress from recent surveys.
Toure revealed that 70% of Nigerians, particularly youth, have refused to pay bribes, underscoring a deepening moral stance against corruption. “This is more than a statistic; it reflects a society increasingly committed to integrity,” he said. Among respondents, 42% declined bribes simply because it was the right thing to do, demonstrating the foundation for further anti-corruption initiatives.
Encouraging trends were noted in whistleblowing efforts, with the willingness to report bribery incidents more than doubling from 3.6% in 2019 to 8.6% in 2023. Additionally, negative repercussions for resisting bribery dropped from 49% to 38% in the same period, while formal actions against corrupt officials surged from 16% to 45%.
Despite these strides, Toure urged stakeholders to sustain the momentum, asking, “How can we empower our youth and institutions to deepen accountability and transparency?” He emphasized the transformative role of young Nigerians, describing them as “natural innovators leveraging technology to promote transparency and combat corruption.”
Youth Minister Ayodele Olawande echoed this sentiment, acknowledging challenges like systemic delays in justice, drug abuse, and human trafficking, which disproportionately affect young Nigerians. “Too many of our prisoners under 35 are held without trial, reflecting systemic failures,” Olawande lamented.
To address these issues, the Ministry of Youth Development has launched the Nigerian Youth Help Desk, a platform connecting young citizens with justice and support services. “Your voices matter, and your struggles are understood,” Olawande assured, committing to building a future rooted in integrity.
Both speakers underscored that the fight against corruption requires collective action from government, civil society, and individuals. “By shining a light on corruption through vigilance and collaboration, we can build a nation where honesty and integrity reign supreme,” Olawande declared.
The event reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to empowering its youth as agents of change in the quest for a transparent, equitable society.
