Abuja: Stakeholders have urged youths to shun corruption, promote accountability, and engage in democratic processes to ensure good governance in the country. They conveyed this message during the 2025 International Anti-corruption Day Public Dialogue held in Abuja, themed ‘Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the dialogue was organized by Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) via the Nigerian Illicit Finance Resilience Project, with support from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, highlighted the dialogue’s significance, noting its occurrence during a pivotal time for Nigeria as the nation seeks to consolidate reforms in asset recovery, anti-money laundering, and citizen accountability.
Rev. Ugolor emphasized that the theme, ‘Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,’ aligns with ANEEJ’s mission. He pointed out that Nigeria’s youth symbolize creativity, energy, innovation, and moral conscience, and when equipped with the right tools and knowledge, they can challenge corruption, inspire movements, demand accountability, and reshape governance.
The dialogue’s objectives, as Ugolor stated, were to enhance youth understanding of corruption’s drivers and impacts, encouraging their involvement in national conversations and fostering partnerships to sustain youth-led anti-corruption efforts.
In his keynote address, John Onyeukwu, Founder of the Institute for Social Impact Practice and Leadership, urged Nigerian youths to take charge of the nation’s future, citing corruption as a major threat to their wellbeing. Onyeukwu highlighted the crisis of trust in Nigeria, exacerbated by illicit financial flows and weak institutions, affecting the majority of the population, who are youths.
He noted that despite the large number of young people in Nigeria, voter turnout remains low, which impacts their ability to influence the country’s destiny. Onyeukwu warned about the detrimental effects of illicit financial flows, which drain resources essential for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Onyeukwu further noted that Nigeria has strong anti-corruption laws, but gaps in leadership and enforcement impede progress. He encouraged youths to engage in governance, demand accountability, and prepare for roles in shaping reforms.
Dr. Musa Aiyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), also addressed the issue, stating that Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) pose significant threats to development. Represented by ICPC official Mr. Godwin Bashiru, Aiyu revealed that approximately 20 billion dollars leave the country annually through IFF, mostly via tax evasion, which could otherwise support infrastructure and social services.
Aiyu emphasized the need for youth involvement to combat IFF, suggesting that tech solutions and digital innovations could play a critical role. He called on youths to take action and actively participate in the fight against corruption.