By Chimezie Godfrey
Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Godwin Agabi, has advocated the establishment of a National Integration Commission as part of measures to address Nigeria’s governance deficits and persistent corruption challenges.
Agabi made the call while delivering the 15th Convocation Lecture of the National Open University of Nigeria in Abuja.
Delivering a lecture titled “Nigeria Against Corruption,” the senior advocate identified weak national integration, flawed electoral processes and poor leadership recruitment as major drivers of corruption in the country.
According to him, Nigeria’s inability to conduct credible elections continues to weaken governance structures.
“If we are ever going to free ourselves from corruption… we must first have free and fair elections,” Agabi stated.
He further noted that leaders who emerge through flawed processes lack the moral authority to enforce accountability, adding that such leadership patterns encourage negative societal behaviour.
“A leader who has acquired power by such means should expect that his bad example will be followed,” he said.
Agabi also raised concerns about the country’s education system, which he said contributes to corruption due to its reliance on foreign models that promote elitism and disconnect students from their communities.
He called for reforms that align education with national values, ethical standards and societal needs.
The convocation lecture is part of activities marking the university’s 15th graduation ceremony, with more than 24,000 students expected to receive degrees nationwide.
In his welcome remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, described the lecture theme as timely, stressing that education must produce not only skilled graduates but ethical citizens capable of driving national development.
The event attracted academics, policymakers, students and other stakeholders from across the country. It also featured presentation of plaques to the Guest Lecturer and Chairman of the Convocation Lecture.
NOUN Convocation Lecture: Ex-AGF links corruption to flawed polls, proposes integration commission
