President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has been ranked as the third most corrupt leader globally, according to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
The OCCRP, a network of investigative journalists and activists, published the ranking after soliciting global nominations to spotlight individuals involved in advancing criminal activities and exacerbating poverty.
Kenyan President William Ruto topped the list, with former Indonesian President Joko Widodo coming in second.
Tinubu, who assumed office as Nigeria’s president in May 2023, secured the third spot. Despite the ranking, the OCCRP awarded the “Person of the Year” title to Bashar al-Assad, the recently ousted Syrian leader who sought refuge in Russia.
The OCCRP emphasized the public’s strong concern over corruption in its statement. Tinubu, 72, has been accused of fostering a culture of corruption during his tenure as Lagos governor from 1999 to 2003, accumulating vast wealth for himself and his family.
After becoming president, Tinubu awarded a controversial multitrillion-naira road project to a company owned by his son, raising concerns of continued corruption.
The nomination was also influenced by past allegations, including Tinubu’s reported involvement in drug trafficking in Chicago and claims of certificate forgery that surfaced following his inauguration.
Tinubu has consistently denied these accusations.
