Fight Against Corruption: Nigeria Calls for Regional and Global Cooperation

Raphael Oni

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for regional and global cooperation in the fight against corruption. His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar made the call on Monday in Abuja.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa (NACIWA), emphasizing the urgent need for regional and global cooperation in combating corruption. In the words of the Minister, “Corruption is a cancer that has eaten deeply into the fabric of our societies,  the cost of corruption is not just financial—it is a matter of life and death,”.

The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s experience with corruption, citing the devastating effects of Boko Haram, banditry, and methamphetamine drug cartels. “The emergence of these groups is instructive. They rely on complex cross-border areas and illicit financial flows.”

To combat corruption effectively, the Minister stressed the importance of regional cooperation, citing initiatives like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Tuggar said, “sharing best practices and holding each other accountable, African nations can collectively work towards a corruption-free continent.”

However, the Minister also emphasized the need for global cooperation, calling on the international community to support Africa’s efforts in combating illicit financial flows. According to Tuggar, “The global nature of financial systems means that the fight against corruption must also be pursued at the global level… We must coordinate our efforts to close loopholes, enforce regulations, and repatriate stolen assets.”

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has made fighting corruption a key priority, and the Minister reaffirmed this commitment. “The fight against corruption is not an option—it is a necessity, working together, both regionally and globally, we can create a world where resources are used for the benefit of all.”

The Minister’s speech was a clarion call for collective action against corruption, emphasizing the need for cooperation and shared responsibility. As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of corruption, its commitment to regional and global cooperation offers hope for a brighter future.

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