Former Nigerian Minister of Education and prominent anti corruption advocate, Oby Ezekwesili, has been named a joint recipient of the 2025 International Anti Corruption Excellence ACE Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Award, in recognition of her decades long work promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Ezekwesili, a former World Bank vice president for Africa and co founder of the Transparency International Nigeria chapter, announced the honour in a statement on social media. She said the award acknowledged her consistent efforts in institution building, sound economic and extractive sector policies, human capital development, and the nurturing of values driven leadership.
She described the recognition as a collective achievement, stressing that the fight against corruption and the push for good governance are never individual efforts but shared responsibilities involving citizens and reformers committed to ensuring public power serves the public good.
According to her, anti corruption work is ultimately about building strong institutions and enduring norms rather than celebrating individuals. She expressed gratitude to God, her late parents, her husband, children, siblings, and supporters for their roles in her journey.
Ezekwesili also thanked those who sent prayers and goodwill messages, reaffirming her belief that the pursuit of good governance in Nigeria and across Africa must continue until meaningful transformation is achieved.
