The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, identified corruption as a major factor undermining Nigeria’s education and healthcare systems.
Speaking on Monday during the observance of International Anti-Corruption Day at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Abbas warned that if corruption is not addressed, it will continue to be a significant barrier to the country’s development.
International Anti-Corruption Day, observed annually on December 9, marks the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on October 31, 2003, with the goal of raising public awareness about the fight against corruption.
In his keynote address, delivered by the House Deputy Chief Whip, George Ozodinobi, Abbas emphasized that corruption drains critical resources needed for infrastructure, job creation, education, and healthcare.
He noted that billions of dollars are lost to corruption annually, depriving communities of essential services and exacerbating poverty and inequality.
“Corruption undermines Nigeria’s development in profound ways,” Abbas stated.
“It erodes the social fabric by creating inequities that leave the most vulnerable further marginalized.
It also destroys trust in public institutions, leading to widespread disillusionment and a weakened social contract between the government and the governed,” he continued.
The Speaker called on lawmakers to use their roles in lawmaking, oversight, and representation to fight corruption for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
He stressed the importance of parliaments in the fight against corruption, highlighting their role in enacting laws, ensuring transparency, and holding the executive accountable.
“As the custodian of the people’s trust, parliament serves as citizens’ voice demanding accountability,” he said.
“Our legislative functions are central to combating corruption and restoring public confidence in governance,” he continued.
Abbas pointed to several legislative actions taken by the National Assembly to address corruption, including the passage of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act amendment, which enhances transparency and curbs corruption in both the public and private sectors.
Also speaking on the theme, “Uniting the Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” Chairman of the Committee on Anti-Corruption, Kayode Akiolu, noted that corruption undermines the principles of fairness, justice, and the common good.
He highlighted that corruption manifests in various forms, such as abuse of power, nepotism, and neglect of ethical governance.
“When public officers abandon their duty to serve the people in favor of self-interest, the social fabric is eroded, economic progress is stunted, and citizens trust is betrayed,” Akiolu said.
