Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has earned an infamous distinction of topping the 2024 list of the world’s most corrupt and criminally-entrenched leaders.
This ignoble recognition was bestowed upon him by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which annually invites citizens worldwide to nominate individuals whose actions have propelled corruption and exacerbated global poverty.
Heritage Times HT reports that the OCCRP, a network of investigative journalists and activists, revealed that Tinubu secured the third spot in the rankings following a vote by participants. Kenyan President William Ruto led the poll, with former Indonesian President Joko Widodo in second place. However, the ultimate “Person of the Year” honor was awarded to Bashar al-Assad, the ousted Syrian leader, who has been accused of plundering his country’s wealth before fleeing to Russia in early December.
The OCCRP explained that public outrage and a keen interest in exposing corruption were key factors in their decisions.
Tinubu, 72, earned his place atop the list due to his longstanding role in fostering systemic corruption in Nigeria. Before becoming president in May 2023, he governed Lagos State for eight years, amassing considerable wealth during that period and allegedly creating networks of influence for his family.
Since taking office, Tinubu has faced public criticism for awarding a massive multitrillion-naira road project to a company owned by his son—a venture that sparked fears of cronyism and embezzlement. This ambitious Lagos-Calabar infrastructure project, Nigeria’s largest to date, has fueled concerns that Tinubu may exploit national resources in the same way he did during his tenure in Lagos.
Tinubu’s controversial past, including his alleged involvement in drug trafficking in Chicago and accusations of certificate forgery, further bolstered his position in the OCCRP’s rankings. Despite these allegations, Tinubu has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for President Tinubu has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the president’s placement on this infamous list.
