FG reaffirms commitment to anti-corruption fight, targets youth empowerment

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Photo: Ministry of Justice

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The Federal Government on Tuesday said Nigeria’s long-standing battle against corruption can only be won by empowering the country’s youth population with skills, education, and opportunities that make them resilient against corrupt influences.

It also acknowledged that the fight against corruption is long and complex, requiring steadfast commitment from all stakeholders.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, made the declaration in Abuja at the 2025 commemoration of the United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day.

The event was organised by the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms in collaboration with the European Union, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption program, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the MacArthur Foundation and the Centre for Democracy and Development.

Speaking on the theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” Fagbemi said young Nigerians remain the “central force” in the national anti-graft crusade and must be equipped to lead a cultural shift toward transparency.

“A hopeful youth is harder to corrupt; an engaged youth is harder to mislead; and an empowered youth is a powerful force for national transformation,” he said.

He added that while the fight against corruption is “long and complex”, it remains a battle the country must pursue “for ourselves and generations to come.”

He noted, “This occasion underscores the global urgency for the fight against corruption and also highlights the pivotal role our vibrant youth must play in shaping a more transparent and accountable society.

“Established by the United Nations General Assembly, this day challenges us to confront the far-reaching consequences of corruption, assess the patterns that sustain it, and renew our collective commitment to building systems rooted in integrity and justice.

“In our collective fight against corruption, we must harness and motivate the energy, passion and determination of the nation’s young people to build the future we desire.

“As we reflect on our collective fight against corruption, it is important to highlight the central role of young Nigerians. They are the carriers of our nation’s aspirations, the custodians of our democratic future, and the most critical partners in building a corruption-free society.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, recognises that empowering the youth is one of the strongest antidotes to corruption. A hopeful youth is harder to corrupt; an engaged youth is harder to mislead; and an empowered youth is a powerful force for national transformation.”

Fagbemi outlined several programmes he said are deliberately structured to reduce young people’s vulnerability to corruption.

“These investments are not just social programmes. They are strategic pillars for building integrity, reducing desperation, and empowering young Nigerians to pursue legitimate opportunities,” the AGF said.

He added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has also included an “unprecedented number” of young Nigerians in governance structures, ensuring youth voices are “central, not peripheral” to national policymaking.

Fagbemi also highlighted Nigeria’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list as a major sign of renewed institutional discipline, noting that regulatory and financial bodies had “sustained vigilance” to strengthen financial integrity.

He urged public institutions, civil society, and the private sector to deepen collaboration, adding that a cohesive national effort was critical to sustaining progress.

Earlier, the Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms, Jane Onwumere, said corruption’s negative impact on the economy and social structures has contributed to the surge in youth migration, popularly known as the “japa wave.”

According to her, corruption has “drained the country of human capital, split family units, and weakened a critical foundation for anti-corruption efforts.”

Onwumere said the two-year anti-corruption theme aligns with a global push for sustained reforms and emphasised the need to learn from young people’s perspectives as the country shapes more effective governance tools.

“Empowering the younger generation with knowledge, skills and opportunities is one of the most sustainable investments in the fight against corruption,” she said.

She commended development partners, including the European Union, UNODC, the MacArthur Foundation and the Centre for Democracy and Development, for supporting anti-corruption initiatives.

Other speakers urged stakeholders to embrace today’s youth-centred approach to governance reform, pledging that the Federal Government would continue strengthening anti-corruption institutions and the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2022–2026.

On his part, the Executive Secretary/Ceo, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Musa Sarkin Adar, reaffirmed commitment to empowering young Nigerians as key partners in the fight against corruption.

He said the nation’s youth remain its “greatest source of hope and strength,” noting that their energy, innovation, and desire for a more just society position them at the centre of global anti-graft efforts.

NEITI emphasised that corruption continues to undermine growth, distort resource governance, and deepen inequality across the country. The agency highlighted that a united, informed, and courageous generation has the power to dismantle these barriers and drive meaningful change.

To this end, NEITI said it would continue to expand civic education, strengthen reporting mechanisms, and support youth-led innovation.

The agency also pledged to create more platforms for engagement with young professionals, students, and entrepreneurs, ensuring they play an active role in shaping a future defined by transparency and accountability in the extractive industries and beyond.

The PUNCH reports that the International Anti-Corruption Day is marked every December 9 to raise global awareness about the dangers of corruption and the urgent need to strengthen integrity systems.

It was established after the United Nations Convention against Corruption came into force in 2005. Nigeria is a signatory to the convention and participates in its periodic review mechanisms.

The UN estimates that up to $2.6 trillion is lost annually to corruption, while developing countries lose nearly 10 per cent of their total budgets to illicit financial flows and graft.

Corruption weakens institutions, fuels insecurity, undermines development and erodes public trust in government.

The 2025 theme recognises young people as powerful agents capable of driving cultural and institutional change.

The UN argues that engaging youth early is essential for building societies grounded in transparency, accountability and civic responsibility.

With over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population under 25, young people are seen as critical to shaping long-term norms around transparency.

A business, investment, infrastructure and property correspondent currently with The PUNCH, Aina is a media professional with over three years experience

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