society
When History Repeats: How Nigeria’s Wealth Was Looted by Leaders Who Should Have Protected It
When History Repeats: How Nigeria’s Wealth Was Looted by Leaders Who Should Have Protected It.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Every government since independence has looted us; from DICTATORS to DEMOCRATS; same story, same stealing. Our oil wealth built their empires abroad, the POVERTY of MILLIONS is the WEALTH of a FEW. Nigeria’s CURSE is not OIL, it is CORRUPT LEADERS.”
Nigeria’s Endless Looting Cycle: Nigeria is a land rich in resources but poor in accountability. Oil gushes, gas flares, taxes are collected – but the benefits vanish into private bank accounts and foreign mansions. The greatest betrayal is not the lack of resources, but the deliberate theft of national wealth by those sworn to defend it. From military dictators to civilian presidents, Nigeria’s wealth has been buried in family accounts while citizens are left with BROKEN ROADS, DECAYED SCHOOLS and FRAGILE HOSPITALS.
The Looters by Name:
General Ibrahim Babangida (1985–1993)
IBB presided over Nigeria during the Gulf War oil boom of 1991. Nigeria earned $12.4 billion, but no one can account for it. Till today, Nigerians ask: “Where is the $12 billion?” Babangida’s fortune and the opulence of his Minna Hilltop mansion are symbols of a wealth gap carved by looted oil receipts.
General Sani Abacha (1993–1998)
The most infamous kleptocrat in Nigerian history. Abacha looted between $2.4 and $5 billion. Swiss, U.S. and British courts have frozen and returned billions over the years. In 2022, the U.S. repatriated another $23 million, proof that his theft still haunts us. His family treated the treasury as a personal vault.

“The Abacha loot is not history; it is an open wound still bleeding Nigeria.”
Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007)
Celebrated for bringing democracy, condemned for waste. Obasanjo’s $16 billion power sector scandal remains the most expensive blackout in history. His privatization program, which sold state assets like NITEL and ALSCON, was riddled with allegations of favoritism.
Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015)
Jonathan’s presidency saw Nigeria’s highest oil revenues, yet little trickled down. Then-CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi exposed $20 billion missing from NNPC accounts. Instead of answers, he was sacked. The notorious OPL 245 Malabu deal also belongs to this era, with over $1.1 billion diverted from national coffers to private pockets.
Diezani Alison-Madueke (2010–2015)
As Petroleum Minister, Diezani wielded immense power. Today, she faces charges of massive corruption. In 2025, the U.S. returned $52.88 million linked to her; luxury homes, cars, even a yacht. For many Nigerians, she symbolizes how a single official can treat an entire ministry as a personal empire.
Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023)
Buhari promised to fight corruption. Instead, scandals multiplied. The N81 billion NDDC scandal, the arms procurement diversion under Sambo Dasuki and misuse of COVID-19 relief funds showed that corruption did not stop; it adapted. Buhari’s silence on many scandals raised questions about whether his “WAR ON CORRUPTION” was selective.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2023–Present)
Tinubu’s presidency is young, but allegations are not. From the $460,000 U.S. drug-related forfeiture in the 1990s to the controversial ₦10 billion solar panel project at Aso Rock, Tinubu faces credibility questions. While no conviction stands against him, the perception of opacity undermines his leadership.
The Real Cost of Looting.
Poverty: 87 million Nigerians live below the poverty line. That is almost half the population.
Infrastructure Gap: Nigeria needs $100 billion annually to fix roads, power and hospitals, these are money stolen many times over.
Debt Burden: External debt has soared beyond $42 billion, while stolen wealth sits in London mansions and Swiss vaults.
Erosion of Trust: Citizens see government not as a provider but as a predator. Voter apathy, tax evasion and unrest are inevitable.
“The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” ~ Chinua Achebe
“Corruption is dangerous and can kill a nation.” ~ Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
“Nations fail because extractive elites steal resources and prevent growth for the many.” ~ Daron Acemoglu
Timeline of Looted Wealth
1991: Babangida’s Gulf War oil windfall of $12.4 billion disappears.
1993–1998: Abacha loots billions; recovery continues 25 years later.
2005: Gov. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha impeached and later convicted for money laundering.
2012: Sanusi Lamido Sanusi reveals $20 billion missing oil revenue under Jonathan.
2015–2023: Buhari’s government rocked by NDDC and arms procurement scandals.
2025: U.S. returns $52.88 million linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The Way Forward.
Name and Shame: No more sacred cows. Every looter must be documented in public record.
Independent Anti-Corruption Courts: Trials should not drag for decades. Swift justice must replace endless adjournments.
Ring-fence Recovered Funds: All recovered loot should be used for schools, hospitals and infrastructure, not recycled into fresh corruption.
Transparency in Oil & Gas: Every contract, license and payment must be made public.
International Cooperation: Banks in London, Zurich and Dubai must stop shielding looted Nigerian money.
Citizen Power: Nigerians must rise. CORRUPTION THRIVES NOT IN ASO ROCK ALONE, BUT IN THE SILENCE OF THOSE WHO SUFFER.
The Final Reckoning: From Abacha to Tinubu, looting has defined leadership. The cost is not abstract. It is the child who dies in a hospital without medicine, the graduate roaming the streets jobless, the farmer without electricity for irrigation, the mother walking 10 kilometers for clean water.
EVERY NAIRA STOLEN IS A DREAM DEFERRED. EVERY DOLLAR LOOTED IS A FUTURE DESTROYED.
If Nigeria is to rise, the era of burying wealth in family accounts must end. History has named the thieves. Now, the people must demand justice.
society
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.
Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.
From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.
A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.
Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.
As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.
Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)
May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.
May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.
May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.
May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.
May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.
Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).
More years.
More anointing.
More impact.
If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.
society
Electoral Act Signed Amid Debate — Tinubu Warns: “We Must Avoid Glitches and Hacking”
Electoral Act Signed Amid Debate — Tinubu Warns: “We Must Avoid Glitches and Hacking”
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“President defends hybrid voting framework, says mandatory electronic transmission could expose Nigeria’s elections to cyber vulnerabilities and infrastructural breakdown ahead of 2027 polls.”
In a pivotal move shaping Nigeria’s electoral future, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the State House, Abuja. The assent, attended by key legislators and political leaders, marks a decisive moment ahead of the 2027 general elections. Tinubu cited the need to safeguard elections against technological failures and cyber threats as the central reason for his decision.
“The transmission of that manual result is what we’re looking at, and we need to avoid glitches; interference, unnecessary hacking in this age of computer inquisitiveness,” Tinubu stated, framing the amendments as essential procedural safeguards rather than partisan interventions.
The law retains manual voting, counting and collation as the foundation of Nigeria’s electoral process. Ballots are cast and counted physically at polling units, after which Form EC8A is electronically transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) portal. If electronic systems fail, the manually endorsed Form EC8A remains authoritative. This compromise reflects a balance between technological innovation and practical reliability, ensuring elections can proceed even amid infrastructural challenges.
A contentious element, Clause 60(3), empowers electronic transmission but stops short of making it mandatory, granting INEC discretion in areas with limited connectivity. Critics argue this optionality could weaken transparency, while proponents defend it as a pragmatic safeguard against system failures and cyber vulnerabilities.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who oversaw the National Assembly’s harmonization process, hailed the law as meeting Nigerians’ aspirations and addressing perennial weaknesses in result collation between polling units and central offices. He also highlighted provisions strengthening party democracy and internal election processes.
Former FCT Minister Nyesom Wike praised the prompt signing, emphasizing that it demonstrates a commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and reducing legal and political uncertainty surrounding elections.
Despite these endorsements, some civil society organizations and opposition voices caution that the law may not fully prevent electoral fraud or politically driven result manipulation, particularly given the optional electronic transmission. This debate underscores broader concerns in Nigerian politics about institutional trust, digital readiness, and confidence in the electoral framework.
Electoral experts note that technology alone cannot guarantee transparency. One specialist observed, “Real-time transmission is a powerful tool, but without resilient infrastructure and institutional safeguards, its promise can become a vulnerability.” Tinubu’s cautious approach reflects this logic, prioritizing reliability over speed.
The 2027 elections will be the first test of this hybrid system. Success will depend on the integrity of officials, the robustness of the INEC infrastructure and the electorate’s confidence. Tinubu stressed that public trust is central: reforms must be credible and fully implemented to reinforce democratic legitimacy.
In sum, the Electoral Act 2026 represents a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, positioned at the intersection of technological opportunity and practical governance. Its effectiveness in delivering credible, transparent and trusted elections will set the tone for the nation’s political trajectory in the coming years.
news
Journalists for Good Governance Shines Searchlight on Local Government Administration
Journalists for Good Governance Shines Searchlight on Local Government Administration
…Calls for Accountability in Nigeria’s Grassroots Governance
LAGOS, Nigeria — A civil society coalition known as Journalists for Good Governance(JGG) has intensified public debate on transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s local government system, urging media professionals, civil society actors, and citizens to hold grassroots leaders accountable.
Speaking an event in Lagos recently, the acting chairman of the society, Comrade Bunmi Obarotimi said that despite reforms such as the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling granting financial autonomy to all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), systemic challenges continues to hinder effective service delivery and responsible stewardship of public funds.
“Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people — yet too often they remain the least transparent. Without civic oversight and vibrant media, promises of autonomy ring hollow.” the acting chairman said.
The Journalist for Good Governance emphasised crucial roles that journalists can play in uncovering discrepancies in council spending, flagging poor service delivery, and educating citizens on their rights. Their call comes amid wider efforts by media and civic organisations to bridge accountability gaps. The civil society initiatives had previously launched monitoring campaigns to track local government expenditures and have been quietly advocating for transparency in how public money is deployed.
The leaders of the Journalists for Good Governance (JGG) highlighted the importance of physical assessment and citizens engagement on projects to boost people’s confidence, urging local councils to adopt open data platforms and proactive information dissemination in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. Experts say the majority of LGAs currently lack operational websites or digital portals, further limiting public scrutiny.
The Journalists for Good Governance initiative aligns with sustained advocacy by civil society groups and governance experts calling for a collective approach to strengthening democratic accountability, and has decided to engage in critical and holistic assessments of how Local Governments is being run and the impact and quality of projects they embark-on and to address deficits in transparency and public trust.
Meanwhile, some state governments have signalled support for improved community engagement. In Lagos State, authorities reiterated a commitment to enhancing community media platforms as vehicles for civic participation and accountability at the grassroots level.
The renewed spotlight on local government administration has reignited public debate over fiscal responsibility and priorities. Controversies such as the widely criticised Adamawa council chairmen’s wives trip to Istanbul — which drew public outrage for perceived misuse of public funds — underscore why watchdog groups say stronger oversight mechanisms are urgently needed at the grassroots.
Citizens and activists have welcomed the journalists’ initiative, calling for sustained media engagement that goes beyond headlines to influence policy and accountability reform.
The civic rights advocates note that real change will require robust legal frameworks, a free press, and empowered communities equipped to demand transparency at every level of governance.
As Journalists for Good Governance mobilises its members, the coming months are likely to see heightened media attention on grassroots administration — from council budgets and service delivery to the enforcement of public information laws and digital transparency initiatives.
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