As Nigeria battles to shed a reputation for corruption, the recent statement, "All Nigerians are Corrupt Regardless of Level” mischievously attributed to Ms. Oprah Winfrey, though sad, is a case in point for soul searching in Nigeria. The bad publicity about some ex-governors currently being convicted for graft has further exacerbated the looting and corruption problems. Nigeria is again brought in the world’s glaring spotlight, not for discoveries, not for attempting to solve Africa’s problems, not for development but for perfecting real or apparent corruption.


Can a nation be branded a haven for thieves without a reason? Will such a nation not have a legal recourse to fight and remove the appellation if she has no semblance of rogues within her citizens? It is my understanding that Ms Winfrey mentioned the Nigerian fraudsters as part of the global discussion on scams. The accusation by Ms. Winfrey, if false, is a slap in the face for all honest and law abiding Nigerians at home and in Diaspora but, if true, is an opportunity for Nigeria as a viable, law abiding nation to be contrite and embark on real soul searching. But when can a nation be referred to as a den of thieves and it sticks?

The issue is not that Ms. Winfrey made the statement but why on earth will she make a disparagingly blanket statement Nigeria and indirectly black people? There are over 140 million Nigerians, how many of these citizens duped Ms. Winfrey to justify her statement? I am going to go out of my way to saying there is no smoke without fire. What must have prompted Ms. Winfrey to make such an indefatigable statement? Did Oprah just wake up on the wrong side of the bed and decided to just pick any country to accuse of being den of thieves? Why did the name Nigeria pop up in her head? Was Ms. Winfrey temporarily insane when she made the statement? Could she have experienced negative activities of some Nigerian citizens? Was Ms. Winfrey speaking from a statistical point of view or does she have list of Nigerians that she can claim to have stolen from her? Or was Ms. Winfrey tired of the accusation of corruption being levied on African nations by white media that she thought it was better for a black person to accuse and hence stop the moral hemorrhage?

Those that see Nigeria’s potential as a great nation and have been willing to contribute their quotas to her development ought to weep for HER IN the way she has been carrying on for the past 47 years. How does one fight corruption and end up being benefactor of corruption after leaving office? How can a nation, the laws, and leaders have capacity to punish 419 when they too are basking in corruption? There would be no moral justification to go after anyone that is corrupt, or is engaged in 419. It is time for the nation and her citizens to shed the last tear in their glands, roll up their sleeves, fight real corruption because if not, our nation would unravel like a pack of yawn. Presently, Nigeria is a nation of zombies and the land of the hopeless. We protect corrupt leaders from our conclave and chastise those that are not from our tribes or those we are not helping to launder money. A thief is a thief is a thief no matter where they come from. It is my believe that when corruption is conquered, the best of Nigeria will ooze out, there will be a reverse brain drain, and peace and tranquility will be pervasive in the land of the living again.