Weak institutions fuel corruption — Archbishop Aladekugbe

…says citizens must demand accountability

The Archbishop of Ibadan Province and Diocesan Bishop of Ibadan North, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Williams Olu Aladekugbe, has called on Nigerians to dismantle weak institutions through transparency, accountability and collective action.

The Bishop who gave this warning while delivering the Annual Alumni Lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Ondo State Branch, warned that corruption, inequality and public distrust would persist unless deliberate and sustained institutional reforms are pursued by both leaders and citizens.

The clergy stressed that institutions weakened by personalised power, lack of accountability and compromised legal frameworks inevitably breed corruption and developmental stagnation.

Aladekugbe, in the lecture themed “Breaking the Chains: Strengthening Institutions for Transparency and Progress,” underscored the need for visionary leadership anchored on integrity and strong systems.

According to him, reforming institutions is a shared responsibility that cannot be left to the government alone.

He added that power is sustained not by coercion but by collective action grounded in legitimacy and shared purpose

He said, “Leaders must submit themselves to accountability; institutions must embrace continuous self-assessment; and citizens must actively participate in oversight and civic engagement.

READ ALSO: The dangers of legalising civilian dictatorship

“The chains that bind our institutions will not be broken by isolated efforts or symbolic reforms, but by sustained commitment from all stakeholders—policymakers, religious leaders, educators, professionals and the wider public,”

The Chairman of the occasion and Founder/Pro-Chancellor of Achievers University, Bode Ayorinde, observed that many citizens lack a clear understanding of the constitutional responsibilities attached to political offices, a gap he said often results in misplaced expectations and weak democratic accountability.

Ayorinde explained that “Infrastructural expectations from lawmakers are largely the result of weak institutions.

“A lawmaker is meant to contribute to robust debate in the House and make laws, not execute projects.”

He, however, called for greater civic enlightenment to deepen democratic governance.

Also speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Temi Ologunorisa, delivered a lecture titled “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”

He examined the economic potential of Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources and recommended the establishment of a National Centre for Blue Economy and Innovation

He noted that such a centre would focus on maritime security, policy formulation and planning, blue energy technology, transportation, aquatic resources management and climate change adaptation, saying, “Nigeria, as a nation, needs a National Centre for Blue Economy and Innovation.”

He maintained that strategic investment in research, innovation and institutional coordination would position Nigeria as a continental leader in the blue economy and unlock vast opportunities for economic diversification and long-term development.

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Adenike Oladiji, commended the UIAA Ondo State Chapter for organising what she described as a timely and impactful lecture.

“Even though many of you are not at the moment serving in the universities, you have continued to contribute to what universities worldwide should be doing—discussing topical issues, solving societal problems and ensuring development,” she said.

Dignitaries at the event included Seinde Arogbofa and the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Yusuf Adeoti Adeleye, among other notable figures from academic, political and traditional institutions.

The event concluded with the presentation of awards to deserving members of the association in recognition of their outstanding contributions, ending on a note of renewed commitment to institutional strengthening and national progress.