30 Most Corrupt Governors in Nigeria Since 1999
Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, widespread corruption among state governors has remained a recurring concern. Successive administrations have witnessed the misuse of state funds, money laundering, and other forms of financial misconduct by several governors. Despite anti-corruption efforts, including high-profile arrests and prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), impunity remains common, with only a few convictions recorded.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that the following list is based on available records of corruption allegations, EFCC charges, court proceedings, convictions, and credible investigative reports.
Top 30 Most Corrupt Governors in Nigeria (1999 – Date)
Note: This list is based on public allegations, EFCC investigations, court records, and media reports. Some cases remain in court or unresolved.
1. James Ibori (Delta State)
- Allegation: Embezzled over $250 million
- Status: Convicted in the UK; served jail term for money laundering
2. Lucky Igbinedion (Edo State)
- Allegation: Misappropriated over ₦4.3 billion
- Status: Entered plea bargain; paid fine
3. Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia State)
- Allegation: ₦7.1 billion fraud
- Status: Convicted in 2019; judgment later nullified by Supreme Court on technical grounds
4. Joshua Dariye (Plateau State)
- Allegation: ₦1.16 billion fraud
- Status: Convicted; sentenced to 10 years, later pardoned
5. Jolly Nyame (Taraba State)
- Allegation: ₦1.64 billion fraud
- Status: Convicted; sentenced to 12 years, later pardoned
6. Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara State)
- Allegation: Over ₦84 billion diverted
- Status: Under EFCC investigation
7. Peter Odili (Rivers State)
- Allegation: Over ₦100 billion mismanaged
- Status: EFCC obtained interim forfeiture of assets; enjoys court injunction against prosecution
8. Ayo Fayose (Ekiti State)
- Allegation: ₦6.9 billion fraud
- Status: Ongoing EFCC trial
9. Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo State)
- Allegation: ₦4.7 billion fraud
- Status: Trial concluded; discharged
10. Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno State)
- Allegation: Multi-billion naira contracts scandal
- Status: Investigated; no conviction
More Governors Accused or Investigated for Corruption
- Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa) – Convicted, later pardoned
- Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) – ₦5.3 billion; returned to Senate after plea bargain
- Saminu Turaki (Jigawa) – ₦36 billion; trial still ongoing
- Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) – ₦19.2 billion fraud case struck out
- Sen. Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa) – EFCC case worth ₦15 billion
- Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) – ₦211 million; case withdrawn by EFCC
- Ikedi Ohakim (Imo) – Money laundering; charges dropped
- Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) – ₦7 billion fraud probe
- Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) – ₦29 billion embezzlement; ongoing EFCC trial
- Sule Lamido (Jigawa) – ₦1.3 billion fraud; ongoing trial
Others With Allegations or EFCC Attention
- Danjuma Goje (Gombe) – ₦25 billion fraud; case withdrawn
- Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara) – Financial mismanagement allegations
- Bukola Saraki (Kwara) – Probe into ₦3.5 billion bank loan
- Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) – Under EFCC radar for ₦4 billion fraud
- Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano) – Money laundering; discharged
- Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) – EFCC probe on ₦15 billion
- Theodore Orji (Abia) – ₦55 billion probe
- Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) – ₦8 billion security vote probe
- Willie Obiano (Anambra) – ₦42 billion under EFCC watch
- Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) – ₦70 billion corruption probe
Key Highlights
- Convictions Recorded: Ibori, Dariye, Nyame, Alamieyeseigha, Fayose (trial ongoing)
- Common Offences: Money laundering, misappropriation of public funds, contract inflation, abuse of office
- Most Pardoned Convicts: Nyame, Dariye, Alamieyeseigha (via presidential pardon)
- Highest Allegation Amount: Peter Odili (₦100+ billion), Yari (₦84 billion), Matawalle (₦70 billion)
What This Means for Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption War
Despite efforts by EFCC and ICPC, several high-profile cases remain unresolved, often due to political interference, court injunctions, and legal technicalities. Anti-corruption advocates have called for:
- Strengthening of prosecutorial independence
- Removal of judicial bottlenecks
- Transparency in plea bargains
- Political will to follow through with cases regardless of status
The article on the 30 Most Corrupt Governors in Nigeria was originally written by the TJ News Nigeria Investigative Desk and published on July 28, 2025.
