President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has been ranked as the third most corrupt leader in the world, according to a report by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). This ranking follows the OCCRP’s call for global nominations to spotlight individuals implicated in advancing criminal activities and exacerbating poverty.
The OCCRP, which coordinates a network of investigative journalists and activists, revealed that Kenyan President William Ruto received the highest number of votes, while former Indonesian President Joko Widodo ranked second. Despite the rankings, the title of “Person of the Year” was awarded to Bashar al-Assad, the recently ousted Syrian leader who fled to Russia.
“The judges acknowledge the importance of public interest and outrage at corruption,” stated the organizers at OCCRP.
According to the People’s Gazette, President Tinubu, 72, has been accused of entrenching a culture of corruption in Nigeria. During his tenure as governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2003, he reportedly amassed significant wealth for himself and his family.
Since assuming the presidency in May 2023, Tinubu has faced scrutiny for awarding a multitrillion-naira road project to a company run by his son, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and ongoing corruption. The controversial Abuja-Calabar route project has intensified fears regarding transparency in government contracts.
Additionally, Tinubu’s past as a cocaine dealer in Chicago and allegations of certificate forgery that emerged shortly after his inauguration have contributed to his controversial reputation.
Tinubu has consistently denied all allegations of corruption.
