President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for practical measures to tackle corruption in Nigeria, acknowledging its deep-rooted nature while outlining steps to reduce it significantly. Speaking during his first Presidential Media Chat on Monday, December 23, in Ikoyi, Lagos, Tinubu stressed that corruption, though difficult to eliminate entirely, can be minimized through targeted interventions.

“Corruption in all ramifications is bad. There is a need to pay enough attention to the causes. Why are the people corrupt? The lack of social amenities, the lack of funding for children’s education,” the President said.

Tinubu pointed to systemic issues as underlying causes of corrupt practices and highlighted measures his administration has implemented to address these challenges. “Pay them good and living wages. I’ve moved from N35,000 to N70,000 minimum wage. To me, that’s anti-corruption,” he said, adding that increased financial support to states and local governments is part of his broader strategy to curb corrupt activities.

He also underscored the importance of transparency, noting that his administration regularly publishes details of the nation’s earnings to promote accountability. “Every month, there’s publication as to how much this country is making,” Tinubu remarked.

The President credited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its role in uncovering inefficiencies and blocking corrupt activities. Additionally, he highlighted policy reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, as steps to reduce avenues for corruption.

Tinubu further stressed the significance of meeting the basic needs of citizens, including access to quality education, as part of the anti-corruption drive. “Meet the people’s needs, help people to grow, and help them with the education of their children. Our student loan is part of anti-corruption; no parents should lament,” he said.

While acknowledging that completely eradicating corruption remains a challenge, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing it to the barest minimum. His remarks underscore a multi-pronged approach that combines economic reforms, improved social welfare, and institutional accountability to foster a more transparent and equitable society.