The former Minister of State for Power, Goody Jedy-Agba, has said Nigeria’s major challenge is not corruption but indiscipline.
Speaking during a leadership series event and exclusive signing of his book in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr Jedy-Agba said that the lack of discipline by public officials is what usually culminates in their mismanagement of public resources.
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In the book, a memoir, “Grace Unspeakable,” the former minister of state reflected on his life journey, leadership experiences, and lessons from public service.
Nigeria is currently ranked 142nd out of 182 countries in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), scoring 26 out of 100, according to Transparency International’s latest assessment of public sector corruption.
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The ranking, which is below the global average of 43, spotlighted the country’s persistent governance challenges in Africa’s most populous nation.
Mr Jedy-Agba noted that the election and appointment of highly disciplined individuals into leadership positions would significantly reduce corruption in the country.
“Our problem in Nigeria is not corruption. Our problem is indiscipline. If you are disciplined enough to know that you should not tamper with public funds, you will not tamper with public funds,” he said.
Mr Jedy-Agba said the glorification of ill-gotten wealth by members of the public has also contributed to the race for wealth by individuals who end up in fraud.
He urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of scrutinising people’s sources of wealth before glorifying them.
“Today we celebrate thieves and rogues. Once we see a rich person, we don’t care how the money was made, but you can make money from hard work instead of stealing. You can still give your best without being corrupt,” he added.
Mentorship as a pathway
The former minister also emphasised the importance of mentorship and guidance in shaping young Nigerians for good.
He acknowledged the role of mentorship in his life, particularly from Hassan Hadeja, whom he credited with helping shape his values and discipline.
Reflecting on his own background, Mr Jedy-Agba said his peasant community taught him as a child to value hard work and responsibility.
“Those lessons moulded me,” he said. “Mentorship is key. People helped mould me into the person I became. Those lessons prepared me for leadership roles.”
About memoir
Speaking about his book, the former minister said he has had many experiences in life that he thought were best shared so others can learn from them.
“Life is a journey. It is like a pilgrimage. In every journey there are jokes, banters, stories and experiences; good, bad and ugly. I have had so many experiences in life, and I felt the best thing to do was to give back by sharing them so others can learn,” he said.
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“Life is not measured by the certainty of our plans but by our resilience when fate interrupts them. Every interruption is a lesson that should make us emerge stronger and more determined to fulfil our purpose.”
In his remarks, Ibrahim Hadejia, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the memoir came at a time when the country needed strong moral direction.
Mr Hadejia said the book would serve as an important guide for younger Nigerians.
“This is what Nigeria requires at this point in time when our moral compass is neither here nor there, and people see wealth and glamour as the ultimate goal,” he said.
“I think his life and his book will be a good reference point for young people to know that you can still give your best without being corrupt or irresponsible.”
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