US jurist tasks Nigeria to confront corruption, reclaim trust

Justice Cheryl Grant, renowned United States jurist and global leadership advocate, has urged Nigeria to confront corruption and embrace transformative leadership. She spoke in Abuja yesterday during the 2025 Leadership Public Lecture, Excellence Awards and Appeal Fund for the Educational Rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Children in Benue State. The event was organised by the Leadership […]

Justice Cheryl Grant, renowned United States jurist and global leadership advocate, has urged Nigeria to confront corruption and embrace transformative leadership.

She spoke in Abuja yesterday during the 2025 Leadership Public Lecture, Excellence Awards and Appeal Fund for the Educational Rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Children in Benue State.

The event was organised by the Leadership Institute Nigeria in collaboration with the African Leadership Institute USA.

Speaking on Nigeria’s position in Africa and the world, Justice Grant urged the nation to embrace its role as a leader.

“Nigeria is not only the Giant of Africa, but it also holds the key to unlocking the future of the global black community. Leadership is about taking followers to places they do not necessarily want to go, but where they need to be,” she explained.

She also urged citizens to ride the “train of development” rooted in faith, hope and courage and to confront corruption with determination.

“Nigeria is not alone in this struggle. Corruption exists elsewhere, but it should not breed hopelessness,” she said.

She called for leadership that prioritised humanity, mutual respect and community well-being, stressing that authentic leaders uplifted others and fostered collective growth.

Prof Iyorwuese Hagher, President of the Leadership Institute Nigeria, emphasised the urgent need to prioritise the education and development of Nigeria’s children, warning that neglecting them risks creating a generation of trauma, violence and despair.

He stressed that education was critical for fostering empathy, tolerance, and civic responsibility and lamented the country’s high number of out-of-school children and those suffering in IDP camps, particularly in Benue, where hundreds of thousands face malnutrition and insecurity.