President Tinubu named 3rd most corrupt leader worldwide, Nigerians react

Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has ranked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the third most corrupt leader globally. Tinubu, who became Nigeria’s president in 2023, was named among the top five finalists for the OCCRP’s 2024 Corrupt Person of the Year list, published on Monday, December 30. The list, determined by over 55,000 votes from readers, journalists, and members of OCCRP’s global network, also featured Kenyan President William Ruto, former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Indian businessman Gautam Adani. Ruto emerged as the most-voted nominee, followed closely by Widodo.
Some Nigerians said it is a deliberate attempt to vilify, ridicule and delegitimise Tinubu’s presidency, former Senator Shehu Sani and other supporters of the ruling APC have said. The infamous award came after OCCRP called for citizens worldwide to nominate individuals worthy of taking the spotlight for their roles in advancing criminal activities while aggravating poverty.  
The group, which coordinates a network of investigative journalists and activists around the world, said the Nigerian leader came third after a vote by participants. While Kenyan president William Ruto scored the most votes, Mr Tinubu was listed as number three, following former Indonesian president Joko Widodo. Mr Sani branded the award as lacking in substance, insisting mere online perspectives are contestable yardsticks that should not be used to gauge the performance as well as attitudes of African leaders.
“Labelling the Nigerian President and other African Leaders as the most corrupt by online voting, and not by incontrovertible facts and figures is more of a political rating crafted from views, opinions and perspectives,” the ex-lawmaker wrote on X.
However OCCRP said “We asked for nominations from readers, journalists, the Person of the Year judges and others in the OCCRP global network,” stated the OCCRP. “These finalists represent the most corrupt figures in 2024.” Tinubu’s presidency has been fraught with controversies over his wealth, which critics argue remains unexplained. Allegations of drug trafficking, forgery, and financial malpractice have persisted, tarnishing his administration. In May 2023, it was revealed that his son, Seyi Tinubu, owned a $10.8 million London mansion previously linked to Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko, who allegedly acquired the property with crime proceeds. Similar properties in the United Kingdom have also been linked to the Tinubu family. The year 2024 saw nationwide protests against Tinubu’s administration, sparked by policies critics labelled as anti-people.
Demonstrators decried worsening hunger, poverty, and governance failures. The most notable protests, the #EndBadGovernance movement from August 1 to 10, saw mass arrests, including more than 20 children. Detained protesters faced treason charges, prompting widespread media and social media outcry that eventually secured their release. Critics argue that Nigeria has suffered significant declines in economic stability, security, leadership integrity, and human rights under Tinubu’s leadership. OCCRP’s recognition of Tinubu as one of the world’s most corrupt leaders underscores mounting concerns over his administration’s transparency and accountability. As protests and criticisms continue, questions about Tinubu’s legacy and Nigeria’s future remain unresolved.