Ezekwesili Wins International Anti-Graft Excellence Award
Renowned Nigerian public policy expert and anti-corruption advocate, Dr Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, has been honoured with an International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, in recognition of her lifelong commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance.
Ezekwesili received the award at a high-level international ceremony held in Doha, Qatar, bringing together global leaders, diplomats, civil society actors and anti-corruption experts from across the world.
The award recognises individuals whose work has made a lasting impact in the global fight against corruption.
The organisers said Ezekwesili was selected for her decades-long advocacy for institutional reform, ethical leadership and public accountability, both in Nigeria and internationally.
They described her as a principled voice who has consistently challenged abuse of power and promoted citizen-led governance.
A former Minister of Education and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Ezekwesili also served as Vice-President of the World Bank for Africa, where she played a key role in policy reforms and development initiatives across the continent.
She is a co-founder of Transparency International, one of the world’s leading anti-corruption organisations, and has remained an influential figure in global governance discourse.
In Nigeria, Ezekwesili is widely known for her outspoken stance against corruption and her role in major civic movements, including the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, which drew global attention to governance failures and accountability in security matters.
Her advocacy has often placed her at the centre of national debates on leadership, reform and democratic responsibility.
Speaking after receiving the award, Ezekwesili reaffirmed her belief that corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to development, particularly in emerging economies.
She stressed the need for strong institutions, active citizenship and moral leadership to sustain democratic progress and economic growth.
The International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious global recognitions in the field of integrity and governance, honouring individuals and institutions that demonstrate courage and consistency in confronting corruption.
Ezekwesili’s recognition has been welcomed by civil society groups and governance advocates, who say the award reflects Nigeria’s positive contributions to global anti-corruption efforts and highlights the importance of principled leadership in public life.
