President Bola Tinubu has firmly opposed the unfair stereotype of Nigerians as inherently corrupt, asserting his position at a forum organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu praised the EFCC for being a moral compass and challenged the unjust labelling of all Nigerians as corrupt based on the actions of a few individuals.
The President, rejecting the mislabelling that tarnishes the reputation of the majority, stressed Nigeria’s diverse and resilient population, citing global contributions in fields like Artificial Intelligence and medicine.
“Over the decades, Nigerians have been victims of mislabelling. Such gross misrepresentation fails to reflect the true essence of our diverse and resilient nation.
”The association of internet crimes with the entire Nigerian populace lacks statistical evidence and does not align with the sociology of everyday Nigerians.
”Our nation comprises hardworking, honest citizens who contribute significantly to various fields globally, from Artificial Intelligence to medicine.
“While we reject blanket stereotyping that undermines the majority upholding principles of integrity and diligence, we must face the fact that we function in an interconnected world where cybercrimes have evolved into a global phenomenon,” he said
While acknowledging cybercrime as a global threat, Tinubu assured the EFCC of government support in battling digital offenses.
He highlighted initiatives like the Students Loan Board to discourage unlawful activities, urging youth to seize lawful opportunities for national prosperity.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, echoed concerns over corruption, emphasizing collaborative efforts to reverse the trend.
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, stressed the importance of appointing officials with unblemished records to combat corruption effectively.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, called for dialogue and structural reforms, while EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, expressed the agency’s commitment to prevention strategies and collaboration with faith-based organizations.
