Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist who first formalized the idea of psychotherapy. Freud was a serious pessimist about human nature. He believed that life is ruled by deep, dark impulses over which humans have little control. And these deep, dark impulses inflict terrible wounds on humans, turning them into freaks. The behavioral scientist explained that humans are damaged and defiled in their original form and are therefore troubled creatures that need repair. It is the hearts and minds of depraved and depraved people all over the world that are ruled by the deep, dark impulses that Freud referred to. Undoubtedly, a few Nigerians in positions of power have spent a long time since our independence corrupting and tarnishing the spirit of our country. Unfortunately, corruption is a pernicious dagger. Greed and gluttony are the perfect weapons to wreak massive and colossal destruction.
In this promising and hopeful year of 2026, the last thing I want to indulge in is writing about corruption in Nigeria. However, even if the reins are bitten, he cannot remain silent. Corruption is as old as this country itself. This evil escapade is part of Nigeria’s long and painful history. Our country is losing its glorious destiny one drop at a time, one platelet at a time, to the rampant and crushing tide of corruption. Discussing the sickening and unexplained cheating makes me sick to my stomach. Sometimes I ask myself, are these people human or Nigerian? Patriots don’t hurt their country like so many scumbags do. For the sake of clarity and brevity, I will skim the belly of history and discuss some of the ugly experiences with those whom Nigerians trusted with the gavel of power in the past.
For more than a decade, certain political parties have been umbrellas for regrouping groups trying to continue where they left off when they were removed from power. Nigeria had $21 billion in savings under the party’s leadership. Five years later, it plummeted to $2 billion. Nigeria’s debt was N2.5 trillion and five years later it was N12 trillion. I remember when US Secretary of State John Kerry reported that about $9 billion was stolen by 50 Nigerians at this party. The federal government then borrowed $2 billion to pay salaries, and Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves of $47 billion quickly fell to $29 billion. In a private conversation many years ago, British Prime Minister David Cameron called Nigeria “stunningly corrupt.” Naturally, many Nigerians were angry. Prime Minister Cameron followed the Nigeria story closely. He heard many stories and confirmed many things. Alhaji, who once headed the pension reform task team, raked in pension funds worth NOK 195 billion from Nigerian financial institutions and funneled the vast sums into personal accounts. When he realized that the long arm of the law was about to tighten on him, he fled to Saudi Arabia. There is a need to deeply reflect on the serious and deplorable state of corruption in Nigeria.
In another parastatal, the Director-General of the Police Pension Office, along with five others, was arraigned by the EFCC on 18 charges of embezzling the Police Pension Fund amounting to N32.8 billion. The big boss pleaded guilty to stealing 2 billion Norwegians, but was fined 750,000 Norwegians, which he paid immediately. He must keep the billions of dollars he stole forever. Once upon a time, the EFCC traced a whopping sum of 34 billion naira to a woman who was Nigeria’s former petroleum minister. Her hidden $37.5 million mansion was also revealed. Corruption is bisexual in Nigeria. Men and women with government power are members of an exclusive club. Distilling down the stinking assaults of the greats always reveals more. The out-of-control bride in a corrupt marriage is former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, who was hoping to become president even though he holds the governorship that controls Nigeria’s finances. The wealth he illegally amassed during his successful reign over Nigeria’s wealth is incomparable to the remuneration he earned as CBN boss. Misappropriation of government funds amounts to billions of dollars, and mismanagement of Nigeria’s social investment programs totals hundreds of billions of dollars more. Charges against the man include illegal economic crimes against national security, money laundering, and unsound activities through agents. The ugly story of bold and blatant corruption is a mocking testimony to Nigeria.
Today’s trending criminal story about thieves is the story of Abubakar Malami, an ordinary lawyer who rose to extraordinary power as Nigeria’s attorney general for eight years. Malami is currently holed up in Calaboos as security forces continue to mine his collage of corruption fantasies. For Malami, being involved in stealing public funds is like a family business. He is on trial with his wayward wife and thieving son. An alleged 8.7 billion naira money laundering crime has put a noose around their necks. 41 properties are traced to belong to Malami and his family, including hotels, schools, luxury homes, an oil company and a radio station worth NOK 212 billion.
Investigations are also underway into various irregularities related to the $346.2 million in Abacha loot recovered from Switzerland, other amounts from Jersey, and the disbursement of the Norwegian 4 billion Anchor Borrower Program funds from the CBN.
Can you believe this guy is gearing up to run for governor of Kebbi state? That’s what they often do. They steal things in black and blue while serving a country that has thrown them into serfdom. And they serve and steal for greater positions whose oversight is impossible due to the governor’s immunity. We are waiting to see what happens with these stories of corruption. At the end of the melodrama, nothing may happen to Malami. Corrupt men and women have always been quietly killing Nigeria. If Nigeria was a breathing entity, it would be a tough cookie. Many are baffled that it is still alive today.
God only knows who is doing what with our wealth today under President Bola Tinubu. I pray that Tinubu’s men are safe. All we can do is hope and pray. But we won’t know until someday this president and his minions are out of power. Nigerians have not only been killed by robbers who attack and shout “Allah Akbar” before slitting the throats of innocent people. The future of our people is being killed by bandits in brocade costumes who roam unarmed on the balconies of power and steal public funds. We write about corruption and blow it down our throats, but what has changed in this country we love? there is nothing! Friends, the deep and deplorable state of corruption in Nigeria requires deep reflection.
What should we do when corruption among men and women with enormous power and authority becomes a family business and grows by leaps and bounds? In this paper, I am not asking the question, “Who will save Nigeria from corruption?” I have yet to receive the divine gift of quiz-answering, relevant and applicable clairvoyance. Who will save good citizens from the deadly virus of theft in public services? I don’t know. What I do know is that Nigeria’s deep and dire state of corruption requires deep reflection. Good people will step into the battlefields of politics and government and save us. Perhaps one day the good guys will outweigh the bad guys in power and authority on the battlefield. And good things will start happening for Nigeria. my hopes and prayers.
X-@Folaojo Tweet
