News
Pandora Papers Indict Nigeria’s Elites on Transparency
By Joel Popoola
One of the world’s biggest ever data leaks has revealed the lengths some of the richest people on earth go to hide their money – and with depressing inevitability, Nigerians are amongst those accused of corruption, money laundering and international tax avoidance as a result.
The 336 politicians said to be named in the 12 million documents which make up the so-called Pandora Papers are said to include a number of high profile Nigerians, including current and former state governors, past and present lawmakers, and even a senior judge – all of whom now stand accused of setting up shadowy shell companies in notorious tax havens to hide their wealth.
Among details to have emerged so far is news that powerful Nigerians have bought UK property valued at £350m using 166 offshore companies.
Peter Obi, ex-governor of Anambra State, was the first to be publicly named in the papers as being connected to a series of offshore entities based in the countries frequently accused of turning a blind eye to – or purposely profiting from – the wealthy and privileged using their financial institutions to hide cash and avoid the attention of the authorities.
Moving money offshore is, of course, not in or of itself illegal – and there are plenty of perfectly legitimate reasons for doing it. Not everyone named in the Pandora papers has done anything wrong – and there is no evidence that Mr Obi, a noted advocate of openness and transparency, has.
But Nigerians are bound to be asking how someone on, say, a governor’s salary equivalent to £5000 can afford a multi-million pound London property portfolio.
Even if the Nigerians named in the Pandora Papers have done nothing wrong, just being caught up in the scandal diminishes both their reputation and that of our entire political process.
And this is probably why the recently released Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey found that 63% of Nigerians rate our government’s performance as “poor” on corruption.
But for political elites the most important lesson of the Pandora Papers is this: Transparency is no longer a choice.
This is not the first time the financial secrets of the rich and powerful have been placed in the public domain. It will not be the last, nor will it be the biggest. The Paradise Papers. Offshore Leaks. Panama Papers. Wikileaks.
Your financial shenanigans could be next.
Therefore they need to embrace what I call the transparency dividend – the benefits that can be accrued through total transparency.
Under the radar, Nigeria is taking important strides towards accountability and trust. Indeed, international observers recently described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as “robust and effective”.
Much of this has been enabled by digital technology which allows for enhanced record keeping, more robust financial auditing and greater accessibility of information.
But political individuals need to take the same steps towards transparency as political institutions.
At the digital democracy campaign I lead, we have been trying to give politicians the tools they need to build back the trust which is so badly needed in the Nigerian democratic process and to enhance both their reputation and that of the entire political system.
We have created an free mobile app called Rate Your Leader, which was designed to reconnect electors and the elected, opening direct channels of communication between people and to their elected officials – giving local people the kind of access previously only enjoyed by funders. Our abuse-proof technology ensures that this communication is always civil and courteous.
Rate Your Leader encourages politicians to explain the decisions they have made and the reasons for making them directly to the people they affect. If the voters don’t like the answer they get, they can rate their politicians badly.
This leads to greater levels of trust in a political class that the voters can see are working for them, and accountable to them.
Digital technologies like Rate Your Leader put transparency and accountability and your fingertips. Direct communication from politician to person, peer to peer.
Another recent survey reported that almost half of Nigerians believe that corruption cannot be defeated.
I believe it can be.
But events like the leak of the Pandora Papers do not help. They contribute to a culture in which we expect corruption from our leaders.
Which is why politicians need to take simple steps to demonstrate their transparency and accessibility.
If they don’t, it won’t be long before someone else takes steps to demonstrate the opposite.
Joel Popoola is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, digital democracy campaigner and creator of the Rate Your Leader app. He can be reached via @JOPopoola
A dramatic confrontation erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday as Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the governors of Oyo and Bauchi states, Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, clashed in a fierce struggle for control of the party’s headquarters.
Mary Chinda, reporting for ARISE News, said that security operatives loyal to both camps engaged in a free for all over who would take possession of the secretariat, with heavy teargas fired around the Wuse Zone Five premises as tensions boiled over.
Governor Makinde arrived at the venue with the newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, while Wike remained firmly positioned inside the building with Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary who maintains that his tenure remains valid until December 8, 2025.
The intense standoff deepened concerns within the party, with several PDP leaders accusing the Police of failing to demonstrate neutrality in the escalating leadership crisis.
Source: Arise News
Suspected terrorists have reported invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSSS), Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, of Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, killing the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, and abducting an unspecified number of students.
Zaragoza reports that a resident, Malama Murjanatu Hassan Gishiri, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the attackers stormed the school at night and operated freely, throwing the community into panic.
The resident was said to have described the invasion as “a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire region into deep fear and mourning”, adding that the bandits moved in large numbers and overpowered the area without resistance.
Gishiri said the late Vice Principal was shot while attempting to protect students from the attackers.
“People in the community have been offering prayers for his soul, asking Allah to grant him mercy, a peaceful resting place, and to console his family over this painful loss,” she said.
The people of Maga further appealed to the government to act swiftly to rescue the abducted students, saying they may not have gone far, and to strengthen security around schools and communities in the area, which have suffered repeated attacks by bandits.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has signed a landmark Internet connectivity agreement with the Imo State Government through its Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Governance.
Globacom disclosed in a press statement that the deal which is the largest single fixed Internet connectivity project in the history of Globacom’s Enterprise Business Group marks a significant milestone in the State’s drive towards achieving a fully digital economy, e-governance structure, and the establishment of a Smart City in Owerri, the state capital.
According to the telecommunications giant, the deal accentuates its pivotal role in delivering robust telecommunications infrastructure and next-generation digital solutions across Nigeria and beyond. The project will empower the company to provide high-capacity Internet connectivity to critical locations within the State, including the Smart City project in Owerri—home to 15 mega buildings—as well as the Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Governance, and the Imo State University for Innovation, Science and Technology, formerly Imo State Polytechnic.
Said Glo, “Our Glo-1 submarine cable, which connects Nigeria directly to Europe through our privately-owned international fibre optic network, will form the backbone of this ambitious project. The Glo-1 infrastructure guarantees superior bandwidth capacity, minimal latency, and highly secures connections, making it ideal for supporting the State’s digital transformation agenda and enhancing the efficiency of public services”.
The company added that the partnership with the Imo State Government will strengthen its commitment to providing reliable, high-quality connectivity that drives socio-economic progress and bridges the digital divide across Nigeria.
Furthermore, Globacom said: “We are honoured by the confidence reposed in Globacom by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Hope Uzodinma and his team,” adding that “This partnership is a testament to our technical capability, nationwide coverage, and proven efficiency in delivering enterprise-grade connectivity solutions. We will work closely with the State’s technical team to ensure timely delivery of the project and to support Imo’s vision of a thriving digital economy.”
“Imo State is setting a remarkable example for other states in Nigeria by leveraging technology to improve governance, education, and business efficiency. “We applaud the Governor’s focus on empowering the youth and building an innovation-driven economy. This partnership aligns perfectly with Globacom’s mission to power Nigeria’s digital future, enhance the State’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure and training initiatives for young people which will create new employment opportunities, stimulate innovation, and accelerate sustainable economic growth”.
Globacom has sustained its imposing presence in every region of Nigeria backed by its resilient network that traverses West Africa. The company has its footprints in digital connectivity solutions for both public and private sectors. Its advanced infrastructure — anchored on the Glo-1 international fibre network, extensive metro fibre coverage, and resilient enterprise systems — ensure that institutions, governments, and businesses can rely on seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity.
The network called on other state administrations to emulate Imo State’s bold initiative by embracing strategic digital partnerships saying, “The future belongs to states and nations that invest in technology and connectivity. We encourage other governments to partner with Globacom in building digital infrastructures that can power education, commerce, governance, and innovation. Together, we can strengthen regional economies, create opportunities for millions, and drive poverty out of our communities.”
