In his first presidential media chat on Monday, President Bola Tinubu emphasized the destructive impact of corruption in all its forms, calling it harmful to the people. He explained that one of the major steps his administration is taking to curb corruption is the recent increase in the minimum wage to ₦70,000.
Tinubu outlined that the decision to raise the minimum wage is part of a broader strategy to address the root causes of corruption. He explained that many people turn to corrupt practices due to social hardships such as a lack of basic amenities or an inability to afford necessities like education for their children. He pointed out that providing a fair and livable wage is one of the ways to combat these underlying issues that lead to corruption. In his words, “Corruption in all its forms is bad for the people. But first, we must understand the causes. Why do people engage in corruption?”
The President further elaborated on how the increase from ₦35,000 to ₦70,000 in minimum wage aims to ease the financial struggles of the people, stating, “There are many anti-corruption strategies that can support people and discourage corrupt practices. Providing fair and livable wages is one of them. I increased the minimum wage from ₦35,000 to ₦70,000 because, to me, that’s part of fighting corruption.”
President Tinubu also shared his administration’s commitment to promoting transparency as a critical tool in reducing corruption. He highlighted that his government has been allocating more funds to the states and local governments, ensuring transparency through the regular disclosure of government revenues and spending. This, he stated, was essential to building trust with the people and reducing opportunities for corruption.
While acknowledging that completely eliminating corruption is a difficult task, Tinubu expressed optimism, asserting that by addressing the needs of the citizens and improving their standard of living, the government could reduce corruption to its barest minimum. He concluded by saying, “It’s challenging to eliminate corruption entirely, but we can reduce it to the barest minimum by meeting the people’s needs.”[/p>
