I Saw You the Last Time Almost Crying When You Read About the Kind of Things Malami Stole—Otunbajo

Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Femi Otunbajo, has expressed deep concern over the state of governance in Nigeria, saying the country is grappling with serious leadership challenges that continue to undermine democratic institutions and national development.

Otunbajo made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, while speaking with journalist Oseni Rufai on a range of national issues, including governance, corruption, accountability, and the health of Nigeria’s democracy.

During the discussion, the professor argued that the country’s leadership crisis has contributed significantly to persistent governance problems, insisting that corruption remains deeply rooted across various levels of public administration. According to him, these challenges have weakened public confidence in democratic institutions and slowed the country’s progress.

While making his point, Otunbajo referred to an earlier Arise Television broadcast in which Rufai discussed allegations involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Reflecting on that programme, the professor suggested that the issues raised illustrated the broader concerns surrounding accountability in public office.

According to Otunbajo:”We are in a desperate situation where leadership has failed and where democracy is failing. That is the reality that we face. I saw you the last time almost crying when you read about the kind of things that Malami stole from Nigeria, and Malami is not alone.”

Otunbajo went on to argue that corruption is not limited to any single individual but, in his view, represents a wider systemic problem confronting the country. He maintained that Nigeria’s governance challenges require sustained reforms aimed at strengthening institutions, improving transparency, and ensuring greater accountability among public officials…See_More