Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, former Vice President of the World Bank and co-founder of Transparency International, has been honoured with the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award (Lifetime Achievement) in Doha, Qatar.
The award was presented on December 14, 2025, by the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in recognition of Ezekwesili’s decades-long leadership in advancing transparency, accountability and ethical governance across Africa and the global policy space.
Globally regarded as one of the foremost voices in anti-corruption reform, Ezekwesili was named a joint recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for her sustained and principled contributions to public sector reform, institutional transformation and values-driven leadership. Her work has spanned national governments, multilateral institutions and civil society, consistently challenging entrenched systems of corruption while building alternatives rooted in integrity and accountability.
The Award Jury cited her “exceptional and sustained contribution to the advancement of transparency, accountability and institutional integrity in public life.” Over several decades, Ezekwesili has demonstrated rare moral courage in environments where anti-corruption advocacy often comes with personal and professional cost. Her reform efforts have influenced public financial management, extractive sector governance, education reform and global transparency norms.
Beyond public office and international institutions, Ezekwesili has also invested heavily in shaping future leaders. She is the founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) and Human Capital Africa, platforms dedicated to nurturing ethical leadership and strengthening public institutions across the continent.
The International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award is organised in support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) by the Secretariat of the International Anti-Corruption Excellence. It is chaired by the United Nations Special Advocate for the Prevention of Corruption and Chairman of the High-Level Award Committee, Dr Ali Bin Fetais Al Marri.
According to Dr Yasser Refaie, Director of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre and Head of the Award Secretariat, Ezekwesili’s nomination underwent a rigorous, independent assessment by both the Assessment Advisory Board and the High-Level Award Committee, and was found to exemplify the values, expertise and integrity that the award represents.
Speaking on the recognition, Ezekwesili underscored the collective nature of anti-corruption work. “This honour belongs to all citizens and reformers who insist that public power must serve the public good,” she said. “Anti-corruption work is not about individuals, but about building institutions and norms that outlive any one person.”
The International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award is widely regarded as a global benchmark for principled leadership and sustained impact in the fight against corruption, placing Ezekwesili among a select group of international figures recognised for transforming ideals of transparency into lasting institutional change.
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