The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) on Tuesday unveiled the ninth edition of its Compendium of 100 High-Profile Corruption Cases in Nigeria 2025, marking International Anti-Corruption Day with a renewed call for youth participation in building a transparent and accountable nation. Speaking at the event held at Shoregate Hotel, Ikeja GRA, HEDA Executive Secretary, Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, welcomed representatives from civil society, government agencies, media and youth organisations, saying their presence reflected a shared commitment to exposing graft and demanding accountability. He said this year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” resonates with Nigeria because youths remain the country’s largest demographic and greatest resource for transformative leadership. Arigbabu stressed that corruption weakens institutions, frustrates development and denies citizens especially the vulnerable access to justice and basic services. He said the 2025 Compendium captures concluded and ongoing cases, asset forfeitures, judicial delays, political interference and landmark interventions, while also profiling corruption cases across Africa. Arigbabu urged media professionals, civil society groups and young Nigerians to use the publication for research, advocacy, enlightenment and reform. In a goodwill message, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Nigerians to become frontline advocates against corruption. Representing the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu (SAN), Mrs. Mary Omonoyan described the theme as strategically relevant, noting that youths are not only future leaders but present-day influencers. She highlighted youth-focused programmes of the Commission such as essay competitions, NYSC sensitisation, anti-corruption clubs in secondary schools and student vanguards in tertiary institutions. She said these initiatives help thousands of young Nigerians internalise ethics and accountability, while series such as ICPC’s Integrity Lectures and Youth Dialogues encourage constructive engagement and behaviour change. Former Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Muhyi Magaji, delivered the keynote address, urging youths to embrace honesty, fairness, courage, and responsibility. Sharing his experiences of intimidation and arrest during his anti-graft efforts, he said his work included blocking transactions totalling over N700 million involving the Kano Agricultural Supply Company and seizing assets allegedly diverted. He insisted that Nigeria’s future stability depends on strengthening institutions rather than weakening them for political convenience. According to him, corruption lies at the heart of governance failures affecting unemployment, healthcare and public services. He urged youths to reject corruption as a survival model and reminded them that “integrity pays, no matter what happens.” Reviewing the Compendium, social critic Mr. Adeola Soetan said although the book is “beautiful in concept, vision and purpose,” it reveals “the beauty of an ugly compact,” exposing how deeply corruption has infiltrated public systems. Soetan observed that corruption cuts across ethnic, religious and professional lines, uniting Nigerians in ways ethnicity and religion fail to do. He noted widespread complicity, involving doctors, lawyers, accountants, media practitioners and even self-acclaimed activists. Soetan criticised judicial delays, particularly when judges are elevated or transferred after presiding over cases for years, forcing trials to restart and diminishing public interest. He urged media organisations to follow corruption cases beyond arraignment and insisted that anger alone cannot solve the problem unless citizens act responsibly. The National Orientation Agency, represented by Mrs. Zandra Eguavoen, praised HEDA’s commitment to accountability and transparency, describing the event as a powerful civic engagement that advances ethical conduct across public and private sectors. The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, represented by Mrs. Oluwakemi Peter, commended HEDA for creating an indispensable reference tool that aids understanding of the magnitude of corruption in Nigeria. She said corruption undermines consumer rights, economic growth and public trust, and called for collective responsibility in addressing it. A youth panel rounded off the event with reflections on why young people must champion Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. A representative of the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Froum Ikeja branch, Chinwe Anyanwu, said youths must be guided by strong values and encouraged by role models in authority. Chairman of the National Youth Council, Lagos State Chapter, Engr. Adigun Olalekan, emphasised the need for intentional youth involvement in national policies and outlined the Council’s transparency initiatives, including public presentation of audited accounts. Lagos State University law student, Abdullahi Adesina, said education remains the strongest tool for instilling integrity, while University of Lagos law student, Peter Ajuri, reminded youths that corruption starts in everyday behaviour and honesty is required not merely for society’s benefit but as a fundamental moral obligation. The gathering ended with a shared call for a renewed culture of accountability, with participants affirming that Nigeria can only rise if integrity becomes a celebrated national value rather than a risky exception.
