Opinion
NIGERIA : A country Where Corruption Makes Rulers Deaf, Dumb And Blind By Lanre Ogundipe
Corruption is the enemy of development, and of good governance. It must be got rid off. Both the government and the people at large must come together to achieve this national objective – Pratibha Patil
The discourse on corruption in Nigeria remains an endless talk-shop simply because both leadership and followers are deeply enmeshed in the scourge. Nigeria’s corruption has become a virus that is ravaging the entire landscape to the extent that it would take God’s intervention to recover the country from its stranglehold. The author quoted above, would suggest that corruption is an African issue. I however disagree. The “pandemic” is not restricted to Nigeria or Africa alone. Western societies are not exempted. I dare say that the Western nations, more than any other, are culpable in the performance, though at the extra territorial level. While jealously guarding their own treasures and appropriating resources for their own people, they navigated the length and breadth of the globe, exploiting other countries, for selfish interest. They corruptly enriched their countries, with the wealth, toll and blood of others. African slaves build their cities while its resources served their economies.
It would take eternity to discuss corruption, but for a quick grasp of the phenomenon, Nigeria as a nation would serve the purpose of my attempt to discuss this nagging social concern. There is phenomenal corruption in our country simply because there is a profound failure of leadership generally and in the fight against corruption in particular. If the truth is to be told, with very few exceptions, our crop of leaders is essentially self-serving and visionless. Some even rank as despots, and not leaders in the true sense of the word.
They lack(ed) vision, focus, selflessness and are indulgent on a large scale. Without fear of contradiction, our leaders are unimaginably corrupt; they are greedy; they are vindictive; they are reckless and, in many fundamental respects, senseless. Virtually whoever has access to power abuses it. The exceptions are very few indeed. There is perhaps no other country in the world where power corrupts and absolute power corrupts as absolutely as in Nigeria.
Our indisputable consistent dismal ranking on the global corruption index testifies to the societal decadence and poverty of leadership that bestrides the country, yet we gloat over this shameful misnomer, wear its badge with pride and carry on like Nero of Rome. That the so-called African leader and hope of the black man is now donning the crown of corruption and poverty headquarters of the world, without qualms, in incomprehensible. Like a deaf and blind man, he hears nothing, he sees nothing. Our leaders hear nothing, they see nothing. Nothing moves them. What a shame!
While yet adorning their corruption epaulet, those who plunged the country into the ditch are moving around with full chest, parading credentials of ‘sainthood’ and superiority. Yet our society keeps applauding them as people with morals and means. Each opportunity they had in providing leadership became personalised. Citizens are compelled to embrace their warped ideology. They are subjected to mental and material poverty and reoriented to believe that except one identifies with the loyalist camp, chances of enjoying any benefit from the state, even one’s survival, is slim. The promoters of that bastardization are walking the streets unchallenged of their evil deeds.
This same attitude was what brought our country to its knees. Its assets are decimated, its infrastructure lying in runs. Our education system has been destroyed, health facilities are in comatose, shipping lines have become moribund, in short, Nigeria has been destroyed. Look at what happened in this country in the 1970s! Where are all the River Basins? Where are the industries? Where are the motor companies? Volkswagen of Nigeria, so many of them? These industries were all destroyed between 1986 and early 1990’s. At that time, if you were in their good book, they would likely issue you license to establish a bank. You can turn the bank into whatever you like. If you were favoured, you could get a license for oil block or whatever catches your fancy. At some point, the government was simply personalised. I say this on good authority. Some Nigerians who were in the security services in the country, would attest to these facts. The country’s security agencies were turned into laboratory of sorts to test all kinds of fantasies.
In all honesty, the meaning of corruption goes well beyond the meaning normally adduced to it in Nigerian public discourse. For, corruption means much more than public officers taking bribes and gratification, committing fraud and stealing funds and diverting resources, entrusted to their care. Corruption, in my view, means a deliberate violation, for gainful ends, of standards of conduct legally, professionally, or even ethically, established, in private and public affairs. These gains may be in cash or in kind or, it may even be psychological or political but they derive from the violation of the integrity of an entity and involve the subversion of its quality and capacity, going by the definition of the late erudite scholar Bala Yusuf Usman in one of his submissions on corruption.
Corruption is one of the major problems which Nigeria has to tackle and overcome if it is to make any significant and sustainable progress in 21st century. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo instituted two anti-graft agencies within a space of three years (ICPC September 2000 and EFCC in 2003). Can we say they have been able to stem corruption? Rather it’s on the increase. Instead of looking inward to see the underlying factors that had inhibited efforts to curtail the scourge, the campaign now is targeted at eradicating or muzzling the mouth of the oxen that “threaded out the corn.” The kingpins of corruption are resolute to emasculate the campaign. It must not be allowed to continue. It must be silenced so business can continue as usual.
The main reason for the failure of Buhari’s military regime’s -campaign against corruption and indiscipline was the regime’s inability to deal effectively with the problem of economic and social decline inherited from the preceding regime. The regime also shot itself in the foot by trying to arrest the country’s economic and social decline by doctrinaire and anti-people policies. massive retrenchment of workers in the public service, the introduction of many new taxes, levies and fees on citizens, drastic reduction in public expenditure, especially on social welfare and agricultural subsidies, and the widespread destruction of the means of livelihood of small privately employed persons like motor mechanics, food vendors and petty traders by pulling down their makeshift sheds, kiosks and bukas in the name of urban environmental sanitation.
It would be unseemly for me to particularise further but I cannot over-emphasize the importance of eradicating this epidemic that has razed our nation to the ground. Any who has not lived among us may not be able to appreciate the extent to which bribery and other corrupt practices have wrecked our nation. Those who occupy positions of power operate in exclusion of the ideals of disinterested service. Much of the attraction of a post lies in the opportunities it offers for extortion of one form or another. Unless the commission fully realizes the gravity of this problem and tackle it with courage, any recommendations for marginal reform are bound to fall flat – dead on arrival. It is most troubling to see that only a handful of Nigerians especially public officials are people of integrity and honesty.
Most educated Nigerians are citizens of two publics in the same society. On one hand, they belong to a civic public from which they gain materially but to which they give only grudgingly. On the other hand, they belong to a primordial public from which they derive little or no material benefits but to which they are expected to give generously and do give materially. To make matters more complicated, their relationship to the primordial public is moral, while that to the civic public is amoral. The dialectical tensions and confrontations between these two publics constitute the uniqueness of modern African politics”
It is my conviction, as an ardent believer in possibilities, that Nigeria is not beyond change. Nigeria can change today if she discovers leaders who have the will, the ability and the vision to steer her in the right direction. I wholeheartedly agree with a school of thought that says “corruption in Nigeria has passed the alarming and entered the fatal stage and Nigeria will die if we keep pretending that she is only slightly indisposed”. Although many Nigerians may tend to share this view, the incurable optimist I am about the future of this country, make me to conclude that our tomorrow will be alright if we all submit to moral discipline in all its facets.
Lanre Ogundipe
Former President Nigeria and African Union of Journalists (NUJ/AUJ) writes from Abuja.
News
The Abiodun Effect: Infrastructure, Industry and Ogun’s Economic Transformation By Kayode Akinmade
How Strategic Investments, Fiscal Reforms, Industrial Expansion and Bold Infrastructure Projects Propelled Ogun State to Become Nigeria’s Second Best-Performing State and One of the Nation’s Fastest-Growing Economies
When the 2025 State Performance Index (pSPI), released by Phillips Consulting, ranked Ogun State second only to Lagos among Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, it validated what years of strategic investments in infrastructure, industrialisation, logistics, and fiscal reforms had already signposted.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2019, Governor Dapo Abiodun has pursued a development agenda anchored on connectivity, economic expansion, and sustainable revenue growth. The result is a state increasingly regarded as one of Nigeria’s most competitive destinations for investment and industrial activity.
Importantly, the pSPI is not a political award. The index combines 70 per cent objective performance data drawn from audited records covering fiscal management, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic output, with 30 per cent citizen perception surveys. Ogun’s emergence as the nation’s second-best performing state reflects measurable outcomes rather than political sentiment.
## Economic Growth Backed by Data
Any assessment of Ogun State’s transformation begins with the numbers.
When Governor Abiodun took office in 2019, the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at approximately ₦2.9 trillion. By 2024, it had risen to ₦7.3 trillion, while projections based on expanding industrial productivity place the figure closer to ₦17 trillion.
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has followed a similar trajectory. From about ₦50.6 billion in 2020, IGR rose to ₦100.7 billion in 2021, climbed to ₦146 billion in 2023, and reached nearly ₦192 billion in 2024. The state is targeting ₦250 billion in 2025 and ₦500 billion by 2026.
The growth has been driven by tax digitisation, the elimination of multiple taxation, improved compliance, and the expansion of industrial activities across the state.
Reflecting its growing economic capacity, Ogun’s 2025 Budget of Hope and Prosperity stood at ₦1.054 trillion, with over ₦600 billion dedicated to capital projects. Infrastructure, education, and healthcare received the largest allocations, reinforcing the administration’s emphasis on long-term development.
## Building Prosperity Through Roads
One of the most visible achievements of the Abiodun administration has been its extensive investment in road infrastructure.
More than 1,700 kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated across the state since 2019. These projects include the reconstruction of the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway and intervention works on the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest commercial corridors.
After more than two decades of jurisdictional disputes stalled progress on the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road, the state government secured federal approval and commenced reconstruction in 2024.
Road projects have also been executed across industrial and agricultural corridors in Ifo, Sango-Ota, Idiroko, Remo, Yewa, and Ijebu areas, improving mobility, reducing logistics costs, and strengthening economic integration.
For the administration, roads are more than physical infrastructure; they are economic assets that facilitate trade, attract investment, and improve competitiveness.
## The ISEYA Development Framework
The administration’s governance philosophy is encapsulated in its ISEYA agenda—Infrastructure, Social Investment, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Agriculture.
Under this framework, infrastructure development has remained a priority, while investments in healthcare, education, housing, youth development, and agriculture have sought to ensure inclusive growth.
The revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, recruitment of teachers, rehabilitation of schools, support for small businesses, youth skills acquisition programmes, and agricultural interventions have all contributed to improvements in human capital development.
The strong citizen perception scores recorded in the pSPI suggest that residents are experiencing tangible benefits from these investments.
## Gateway Airport and Aviation Connectivity
A major milestone in the administration’s infrastructure drive was the completion of the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport.
The airport received its first commercial flight in February 2023, marking a historic moment for Ogun State. Strategically located to serve industrial clusters along the Lagos-Ogun corridor, the facility was designed to provide manufacturers and exporters with faster logistics options and strengthen the state’s export competitiveness.
The project has received commendation from prominent national figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, both of whom described it as a significant economic asset.
Complementing the airport is the Gateway Airline initiative, aimed at improving regional connectivity and supporting business travel.
## Kajola and Mojoda Dry Ports: Redefining Logistics
Among the administration’s most transformative economic initiatives are the Kajola and Mojoda Dry Ports.
The Kajola Dry Port, located near the Lagos-Ibadan Railway corridor, was conceived as an inland cargo terminal that enables importers and exporters to process goods closer to their businesses rather than relying exclusively on congested seaports.
The facility is supported by the Kajola Specialised Railway Industrial Free Trade Zone, a partnership expected to unlock substantial industrial investment and employment opportunities.
In 2025, the Federal Government approved a second dry port in Mojoda, Ijebu-Ode. Situated on 130 hectares, the facility is expected to serve as a major cargo consolidation and distribution hub for the Southwest region.
Together, both projects position Ogun as a critical logistics gateway for Nigeria’s manufacturing and export sectors.
## Industrial Expansion Across the State
Ogun remains one of Nigeria’s foremost industrial destinations, with major companies operating within its borders.
The administration has prioritised the rehabilitation of key industrial corridors, particularly the Agbara-Atan-Lusada axis, which hosts numerous multinational firms.
Improved infrastructure within these industrial zones has enhanced operational efficiency and encouraged further investment.
Beyond Agbara, the state has expanded industrial development through initiatives such as the Remo Economic Industrial Cluster, a partnership with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms valued at approximately $400 million.
These efforts have ensured that industrial growth is spread across the state’s three senatorial districts.
## A Multimodal Transport Strategy
Governor Abiodun’s long-term vision extends beyond roads.
The administration is pursuing a multimodal transport strategy that integrates road, rail, air, and maritime infrastructure. Existing rail connections, the Gateway Airport, proposed port projects, and an extensive road network are being developed as interconnected assets designed to reduce transportation costs and improve supply chain efficiency.
This integrated approach strengthens Ogun’s position as a strategic logistics hub serving both Nigeria and the wider West African market.
## Creating an Investor-Friendly Environment
Infrastructure development has been matched by reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business.
Through agencies such as OgunInvest and the Business Environment Council, the administration has streamlined investment processes, digitised tax administration, reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, and actively engaged local and international investors.
The results have been significant. Ogun now hosts more than 6,000 registered industries and continues to attract substantial domestic and foreign investments across manufacturing, logistics, tourism, housing, and agro-processing.
The state’s growing reputation as a business-friendly destination has further strengthened its economic profile and revenue base.
## The Phillips Consulting Verdict
The 2025 State Performance Index evaluated states across key indicators, including fiscal management, infrastructure, healthcare, education, economic performance, and citizen satisfaction.
Ogun’s second-place ranking confirms that its development is the product of deliberate policy choices and sustained execution rather than geographical advantage alone.
The assessment also validates the administration’s ISEYA framework, demonstrating that strategic investments in infrastructure, human capital, and economic development can deliver measurable outcomes.
## A Model of Deliberate Development
The transformation of Ogun State under Governor Dapo Abiodun illustrates how governance can drive economic growth when policies are designed to complement one another.
Roads improved access to industrial hubs. Industrial growth expanded the tax base. Increased revenues funded additional infrastructure, while logistics projects strengthened the state’s attractiveness to investors.
From GDP growth and rising internally generated revenue to extensive road construction, aviation infrastructure, dry ports, industrial expansion, and national recognition through the pSPI ranking, Ogun State’s development trajectory reflects a deliberate effort to position the state as one of Nigeria’s leading economic centres.
As major projects near completion and new investments continue to flow in, the challenge ahead will be sustaining the momentum and consolidating the gains already achieved.
I have watched, with deep concern, how the lines between journalism and broadcasting are being carelessly blurred in Ibadan. As someone who has devoted years to the practice of investigative journalism, I cannot stay silent while many On-Air Personalities (OAPs) parade themselves as journalists simply because they hold a microphone or sit in a studio.
Let me state it plainly: a journalist is trained to gather, verify, analyse, and report facts. My work as a journalist begins long before I speak into a microphone. It takes research, interviews, documents, and a constant weighing of truth against falsehood. That is what journalism is – service to the public through truth.
A broadcaster, on the other hand, is a presenter. He or she may read news, play music, anchor programs, or entertain listeners. Broadcasting is about delivery. Journalism is about content. Both are important, but they are not the same.
The problem in Ibadan today is that many presenters who specialise in banter, slang, and social media virality now call themselves “journalists.” They are not. I say this with all sense of responsibility: if you have not gone through the rigours of news gathering, fact-checking, and ethical reporting, then you are not a journalist. You are a broadcaster, and there is dignity in that role.
What worries me most is the damage this confusion causes. When broadcasters misrepresent themselves as journalists, the public begins to doubt the credibility of real journalism. Sensationalism takes the place of facts. Noise replaces truth. And the noble profession I belong to is dragged into ridicule.
I am not against broadcasters. I work with them daily, and I respect their craft. But they must respect mine too. A journalist digs out the story; a broadcaster delivers it. Neither should wear the other’s title without merit.
If Ibadan wants to retain its reputation as Nigeria’s media hub, it must correct this error. Broadcasters should embrace their role proudly, and those who desire to be journalists must get the training and discipline the profession demands.
I owe it to my profession – and to the public that depends on it – to keep saying this: a broadcaster is not automatically a journalist. The earlier Ibadan’s media practitioners accept this truth, the better for us all.
Cover Stories
“Melody Hymns with Sean Polotee” Returns, Rekindling Sunday Mornings with Soulful Inspiration
In a welcome return to the airwaves, “Melody Hymns with Sean Polotee” is back on Melody 107.7 FM, set to grace Sunday mornings once again from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The show, known for its soul-stirring hymns and uplifting content, is hosted by Sean Polotee, a seasoned broadcast journalist, poet, and media personality.
Renowned for his charismatic on-air presence and deep connection with listeners, Polotee brings nearly two decades of media experience to the program. He is also the recently appointed Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the National Coalition of Apostles, Bishops, Archbishops, and Cardinals (NCABAC) — a role that further highlights his commitment to using media as a force for positive change.
“Melody Hymns” blends carefully curated gospel music with personal reflections and conversations that spark hope, resilience, and faith. Polotee frequently engages guests from various walks of life, offering listeners stories that resonate far beyond the studio walls.
Drawing on his background as a poet and storyteller, Polotee’s style is warm, engaging, and deeply human. His previous hosting credits include popular radio shows like “Maagbon” on Miliki 101.3 FM and the award-winning “Deflower Your Mind” on Jordan 105.5 FM — programs that showcased his ability to connect meaningfully with audiences.
Listeners can expect more than just music — “Melody Hymns” is a celebration of community, faith, and shared experience. It invites audiences to participate by sharing personal testimonies, song requests, and reflections, reinforcing the show’s mission to uplift and unite.
Whether you’re seeking peace, encouragement, or simply a beautiful start to your Sunday, “Melody Hymns with Sean Polotee” offers a refreshing hour of inspiration.
Tune in to Melody 107.7 FM every Sunday at 9:00 AM.
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