OCCRP Highlights Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s Alleged Involvement in Corruption, Organized Crime, and Controversial Decisions Fueling Economic Instability
Nigerian President Makes Infamous List by Global Anti-Corruption Group
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has been spotlighted as one of the world’s most corrupt leaders in 2024, according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The organization, known for its extensive network of investigative journalists, placed Tinubu third on its list of global figures notorious for advancing organized crime and deepening poverty.
While Kenyan President William Ruto garnered the highest votes in the rankings, Tinubu trailed behind former Indonesian President Joko Widodo. However, OCCRP awarded the primary “Person of the Year” label to Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s former president, who fled to Russia earlier this month after years of alleged plundering in his country.
Tinubu’s Controversial Legacy
OCCRP cited Tinubu’s long-standing history of corruption as a key reason for his inclusion. As governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, he was accused of leveraging his position to amass immense wealth. Upon becoming Nigeria’s president in May 2023, Tinubu faced immediate backlash for awarding a multitrillion-naira Lagos-Calabar road project to a company linked to his son, raising fears of further treasury exploitation.
Tinubu’s past as a convicted cocaine dealer in Chicago and his alleged involvement in certificate forgery also factored into his nomination. Despite these allegations, Tinubu has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Global Backlash and OCCRP’s Statement
OCCRP organizers underscored the importance of exposing leaders who exploit their positions for personal gain.
“The judges acknowledge the importance of public interest and outrage at corruption,”
the group said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Tinubu did not respond to requests for comments at the time of publication.
The announcement has further fueled debates about governance in Nigeria, a nation grappling with widespread poverty and economic instability under Tinubu’s administration.
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