Former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AIG Ibrahim Magu (rtd), has commended President Bola Tinubu over his dedication to youth empowerment and skills development in the country.
Magu added that Tinubu’s leadership has continued to inspire bold thinking, courageous reforms and a renewed commitment to national development, adding that his role in this regard is commendable.
According to Magu, corruption remains the single greatest threat to manpower development in Nigeria, saying that when a nation invests billions in education but classrooms remain empty and under-equipped, corruption is at work.
Magu further disclosed that when the brightest minds leave the country not because of lack of talent but lack of opportunity, corruption is to blame, adding that there is the need for the youths to break the cycle of corruption for better tomorrow.
The former EFCC boss spoke during the National Industrial Manpower Summit 2025 held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, with a theme titled: “Manpower Development – The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity”.
In his Gala Night Speech made available to journalists on Sunday, Magu said the time has come for the stakeholders to confront the big elephant in the room, saying that the youths must play their part and eschew corruption for dynamic society.
Commending Tinubu over his role in galvanising the youths for positive change, Magu said, “Let me begin by expressing my profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose leadership has continued to inspire bold thinking, courageous reforms, and a renewed commitment to national development.
“Your Excellency, your dedication to youth empowerment, skills development, and institutional strengthening is not going unnoticed.
“Through your Renewed Hope Agenda, you are giving the next generation a reason to believe again — and tonight, we say thank you.”
Speaking on the uniqueness of the event and the greatness of the country, Magu said, “A Night of Honour, A Nation of Hope. Tonight, we are gathered not just to celebrate but to reaffirm. We are here to reaffirm our belief in the greatness of Nigeria, and in the power of her people especially her young people to carry this nation from potential to productivity, from promise to prosperity.”
Highlighting the evils of corruption, Magu said the cankerworm is the greatest enemy of manpower and progress, adding that all hands must be on the deck to confront the social evil for positive development.
He said, “ But as we celebrate, we must not become complacent. We must confront the bitter truth: Corruption remains the single greatest threat to manpower development in Nigeria.
“When a nation invests billions in education but classrooms remain empty and under-equipped, corruption is at work. When our brightest minds leave the country not because of lack of talent but lack of opportunity, corruption is to blame.
“When youths must pay bribes to get jobs, when contractors abandon training projects, when funds meant for empowerment end up in private accounts — then the bridge between potential and productivity begins to crack.
“Let me be clear: Corruption kills innovation. It kills hope. And worst of all, it kills the spirit of the Nigerian youths.”
On the strength of the youths to change the narrative and play the ideal role for the country’s growth, Magu said the youths are the architects of a new Nigeria, saying that he has an implicit faith in the Nigerian youths to make a positive difference.
He said, “But I have faith. I have seen firsthand that our youths are not weak. They are not lazy. They are not waiting to be rescued. They are ready to lead. They are building tech startups in Yaba, running farms in Nasarawa, driving fashion empires in Aba, and developing mobile apps in Kaduna.
“What the youths need — and what they deserve — is a system that is clean, fair, and just. A system where success is built on merit, not manipulation. A nation where hard work is rewarded and corruption is punished.”
Addressing the youths at the event and asking them to eschew corruption for the greatness of the country, Magu said true leadership begins with character, saying that corruption is not just a government issue but a cultural problem.
He said, “To the youths here tonight: You are the bridge. You are the ones who will take Nigeria forward — if you refuse to cut corners, if you choose integrity over impunity, and if you understand that true leadership begins with character. Corruption is not just a government issue — it is a cultural issue. And it is up to you to break the cycle.”
Magu further made a case for collective responsibility to tackle the social evil, saying that building the bridge requires joint responsibility for positive effect.
He said, “If manpower is the engine of national development, then anti-corruption is the oil that keeps that engine running. We must do more than just train our people — we must protect the systems that ensure their training leads to impact.
“This requires: Transparent recruitment processes; Efficient and accountable education spending; Protection for whistleblowers and reformers; and Recognition for those who stand for integrity in public service and private industry.
“Tonight, as we honour excellence, let us also honour integrity. Let us honour those who chose the harder right over the easier wrong.
Let us resolve — each one of us — to never be silent in the face of corruption.”
On the way forward for an egalitarian society, Magu said, “ A new era is possible. It has been said that a nation does not rise by the beauty of its intentions but by the courage of its actions. Let tonight be more than a gala.
Let it be a turning point. Let it mark the beginning of a new era where Nigerian manpower is not only developed but deployed, protected, and honoured.
“ Let us build this bridge together — brick by brick, truth by truth, and with the strength of every honest hand. I believe in Nigeria. I believe in her youth. I believe the future is not far — it is here, it is now, and it is ours to shape.”