Corruption remains Nigeria’s deadliest threat at 65, warns CACOL

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has described corruption as Nigeria’s biggest stumbling block to development, even as the nation marked its 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Debo Adeniran, CACOL congratulated Nigerians for their resilience in sustaining democracy and nationhood despite decades of misrule.

However, the group lamented that the country’s story since independence had largely been one of “squandered opportunities, stunted growth, and unfulfilled potential.”

“Since 1960, Nigeria has been blessed with abundant human and material resources, yet cursed by successive governments that have failed to manage them prudently. Corruption has remained the major albatross to our national development,” Adeniran said.

The organisation pointed to how nations like Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea, which gained independence around the same period, have become economic powers, while Nigeria remains trapped in underdevelopment due to entrenched corruption.

CACOL listed the fallout of corruption as insecurity, poverty, infrastructural decay, unemployment, and an economy in perpetual crisis.

It cited a string of scandals ranging from fuel subsidy fraud to pension scams, arms procurement diversions, and the looting of COVID-19 palliatives as evidence of systemic rot.

The group called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight, demanding stronger independence for the EFCC, ICPC, and the judiciary, as well as the prosecution of corrupt officials without political bias.

It also urged that recovered loot be channelled into education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation.

“True independence is not just about lowering the colonial flag. It is about liberating citizens from oppression, deprivation, and corruption,” Adeniran stressed.

CACOL added that Nigerians themselves must take responsibility by demanding accountability from leaders and refusing to glorify looters.

“Nigeria at 65 must not continue to crawl when others are running. If we confront corruption with seriousness, our nation can still rise to greatness,” the statement read.