Lagos . Sept 18, 2025 (NAN)Prof. Tunde Babawale, former Provost of the National Anti-Corruption Academy, says framing corruption as a collective problem needing joint action will take time.
Babawale, who was a guest speaker at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), disclosed this on Thursday at the International Conference on Anti-Corruption.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was organised in collaboration with the Panafricana Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC).
The theme of the conference was “Politics, Governance, Probity, Religion and Corrupt Behaviour in Nigeria.”
According to Babawale, when corruption becomes widespread in a society, it eventually becomes part of the people’s identity.
He stressed the need to rework, rejig and restructure the judicial system, noting that justice delivery must be strengthened to discourage those engaged in corrupt practices.
The former provost also said that Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process must change, lamenting that politicians responsible for making and enforcing policies that affect citizens were only required to hold senior secondary certificate examnation.
He further stressed the importance of identifying leaders with integrity, accountability, and strong moral qualities.
Babawale added that religious teachings which emphasised prosperity and material wealth over values were not encouraging accountability in society.
“Religion has been used by people in power to perpetrate corruption” he said.
He, however, called for collective determination to improve society, urging individuals to consistently promote integrity at home and in the workplace.
“Do not do the wrong thing; do the right thing,” he concluded.
Earlier, Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, said corruption remained a major impediment to Nigeria’s growth and development, saying “it distorts governance, undermines public trust, and entrenches inequality”.
He stressed the urgent need for institutions to mainstream anti-corruption as a priority, adding that universities must not only impart knowledge but also instill ethics and values.
“Tertiary institutions can and should play a vital role in reorienting the mindset of students, encouraging them to be focused on learning and not vulnerable to corrupt practices.
“Nigerian youth must reject the glorification of looters and instead embrace models of integrity and service.
“Looters are not adding value to solving our national challenges; they should not be celebrated, but rejected” he said.
He said that corruption was not insurmountable, but fighting it requires sincerity, unity, and action. Our universities must produce ethical leaders.
He said that our civil society must continue to advocate, our government must provide the political will and our youth must embrace integrity as their guiding principle.
Rafsanjani said that CISLAC was committed to working with the University of Lagos, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and PANAFSTRAG to advance this agenda.
“Together, let us ensure that Nigeria builds a society where probity triumphs over corruption, where institutions are strong, and where future generations can thrive in dignity” he said. (NAN)
