Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has blamed the educated elite for masterminding Nigeria's most damaging corruption scandals, financial malpractices, and institutional breakdown. He explained that the country's governance struggles do not stem from a lack of intellectual capacity, but from a widespread failure of conscience.
The governor made the remarks in Abuja on Friday while delivering the convocation lecture at the 15th Convocation Ceremony of Veritas University, according to Vanguard News. In his address, titled "Building the Nigeria We Want: The Role of the Educated Mind," Mutfwang argued that high academic qualifications and professional expertise have frequently been diverted to selfish goals instead of nation-building.
Mutfwang noted that sophisticated schemes, including doctored financial records, contract manipulations, money laundering, and the capture of state institutions, are rarely carried out by uneducated individuals. Instead, he described them as the deliberate work of trained minds who evade the law and compromise public trust.
The governor also pointed to cyber fraudsters, commonly referred to as "Yahoo boys," as proof that intelligence can be dangerous when detached from moral grounding. He explained that cybercriminals possess sharp intellect, but apply their gifts in destructive ways because they lack moral restraint.
While acknowledging that Nigerians excel globally across numerous fields, Mutfwang expressed regret that this immense talent has not translated into accountable leadership and sustainable progress at home. He stressed that knowledge alone shows what is possible, but only conscience dictates what is right.
To turn the country around, Mutfwang urged the graduating class to embrace integrity, personal responsibility, and competence over mere wealth or status. He envisioned a Nigeria where public offices serve the citizenry, health facilities heal the sick, schools educate effectively, and the justice system protects the innocent.
