By Our Correspondent
A former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has called on Nigerian youths to take the lead in dismantling the entrenched culture of corruption, describing it as the single greatest threat to the nation’s progress.
Magu, who headed the EFCC from November 2015 to July 2020 before his suspension, made the charge on Wednesday during the gala night of the National Industrial Manpower Summit 2025, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja. The summit, themed “Manpower Development – The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity,” brought together youth delegates, industry leaders, policymakers, and civil society advocates to discuss strategies for harnessing Nigeria’s human capital.
“Corruption is not just a government issue — it is a cultural issue. And it is up to you to break the cycle,” Magu told participants, urging young Nigerians to choose integrity over impunity in the drive to build a stronger, fairer nation.
The retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police noted that corruption not only undermines manpower development but also cripples the nation’s prospects. “We must confront the bitter truth: Corruption remains the single greatest threat to manpower development in Nigeria,” he said. “When a nation invests billions in education but classrooms remain empty and under-equipped, corruption is at work. When our brightest minds leave the country not because of lack of talent but lack of opportunity, corruption is to blame.”
Magu warned that the consequences of graft extend beyond financial losses, eroding innovation, hope, and the very spirit of the nation’s young people. “Let me be clear: Corruption kills innovation. It kills hope. And worst of all, it kills the spirit of the Nigerian youth,” he declared.
Despite the grim reality, the former EFCC boss expressed optimism about the resilience and creativity of Nigeria’s youth. “I have seen firsthand that our youth are not weak. They are not lazy. They are not waiting to be rescued,” he said. “They are ready to lead. They are building tech startups in Yaba, running farms in Nasarawa, driving fashion empires in Aba, and developing mobile apps in Kaduna.”
Challenging them to embrace their role as agents of change, he emphasised: “You are the bridge. You are the ones who will take Nigeria forward — if you refuse to cut corners, if you choose integrity over impunity, and if you understand that true leadership begins with character. What they need — and what they deserve — is a system that is clean, fair, and just. A system where success is built on merit, not manipulation. A nation where hard work is rewarded and corruption is punished.”
Magu likened anti-corruption efforts to the lubricant of national development, stating: “If manpower is the engine of national development, then anti-corruption is the oil that keeps that engine running. We must do more than just train our people — we must protect the systems that ensure their training leads to impact.”
He advocated for wide-ranging reforms, including transparent recruitment processes, efficient and accountable education spending, protection for whistleblowers, and recognition for individuals and organisations that uphold integrity.
The former anti-graft czar also commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to youth empowerment and institutional strengthening. “Your Excellency, your dedication to youth empowerment, skills development, and institutional strengthening is not going unnoticed. Through your Renewed Hope Agenda, you are giving the next generation a reason to believe again,” Magu said.
Urging participants to see the event as more than a formal gathering, he concluded: “Let tonight be more than a gala. Let it be a turning point. Let it mark the beginning of a new era where Nigerian manpower is not only developed but deployed, protected, and honoured. I believe in Nigeria. I believe in her youth. I believe the future is not far — it is here, it is now, and it is ours to shape.”
