
19/06/2025
FROM THE ROOTS UP: WHY NIGERIA’S FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION MUST BEGIN AT THE GRASSROOTS
By Omokehinde Agbedina
Executive Director, Center for Inclusive Governance and Growth (CIGG)
Coordinator, Grassroots Governance Advancement Summit (GGAS)
If corruption is the enemy of progress, then the true battleground isn't solely in the opulent corridors of power—it's in the bustling town halls, the humble ward offices, and the vibrant community councils scattered across Nigeria’s 774 local governments. This is where the daily lives of millions are shaped, and this is where the most impactful transformation can occur.
For too long, our national efforts to combat corruption and inefficiency have been disproportionately focused on the top echelons of government. Yet, sustainable, meaningful change must be built from the bottom up. This fundamental truth is the driving force behind the Grassroots Governance Advancement Summit (GGAS), a pioneering initiative by the Center for Inclusive Governance and Growth (CIGG). GGAS is meticulously designed to empower communities, educate local leaders, and fortify the legal and civic instruments essential for demanding and delivering good governance at the most proximate level.
The urgency of this mission has never been more pronounced.
With the Federal Government's crucial legal action underway to restore full autonomy to local governments, we stand at a pivotal juncture. This presents an unparalleled opportunity to ensure that our grassroots institutions are not merely constitutionally empowered, but critically, civically equipped and ethically prepared to wield that power with profound responsibility and integrity.
We must invest in comprehensive, practical training for local government officials, imbuing them with the principles of transparency and accountability. We must empower our respected traditional leaders to become unwavering stewards of integrity, champions of ethical conduct within their domains. And most importantly, we must equip our citizens, the true custodians of democracy, with the knowledge and tools to meticulously track budgets, vociferously demand accountability, and participate meaningfully and decisively in the governance of their own communities.
This is not just a civic movement; it is a national imperative. We issue a fervent call to all national institutions, including the Presidency, the National Economic Council (NEC), the Ministry of Justice, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and all other relevant bodies, to unequivocally stand behind this vital grassroots revolution.
Your support, partnership, and engagement are not just welcome; they are indispensable.
Because make no mistake: if we secure victory against corruption and inefficiency at the grassroots, Nigeria will not only win in Abuja; Nigeria will win everywhere. This is our shared battle, and together, we can forge a new era of transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance for all Nigerians.