Two months after his controversial election, President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria has stimulated new concerns over the selection of his cabinet ministers. He has not only invited four of ex-President Obasanjo’s ministers to serve with him [1], but like his predecessor, he has also decided to head the Ministry of Energy [2]. His choice to keep a handful of Obasanjo’s ministers seems to hold a mixed message. To some, this supports the belief that Yar’Adua was chosen by Obasanjo in order to ensure that the ex-President would still be a powerful source of influence, even in retirement [3]. On the other hand, some also say that this in conjunction with his move to head the Ministry of Energy indicates that the new President intends to follow through with his campaign promise of continuing the economic and political reforms initiated by his predecessor [4]. Obasanjo was the first Nigerian leader to put himself directly in charge of the Ministry of Energy in the hopes of solving power sector problems as well as the issue of violence and instability in the Niger Delta [5].

Upon the formulation of his new cabinet, Yar’Adua made it clear that corruption within the government would not be tolerated [6]: a move which would keep him in line with Obasanjo’s priorities before him. If handled effectively, this could see Nigeria continue to progress in this area, having been elevated eighteen places in Transparency International's global corruption index under Obasanjo’s leadership [7]. This index measures the frequency, size, and impact of bribes and other similar behavior on a global scale [8].

Yar’Adua’s desire to follow in Obasanjo’s footsteps regarding the energy sector, however, has a much longer road ahead of it. Despite personal attention from the ex-President, during Obasanjo’s rule Nigeria suffered from a lack of oil as well as lack of access to dependable electricity [9]. If Yar’Adua wants to make any kind of significant progress regarding the economic and social stability of the Niger Delta area, he will need to find a different approach.

While the IIJD certainly believes that Yar’Adua’s goals regarding the energy sector and corruption are commendable, knowledge of the history of the last fifty years in Sub-Saharan African politics reminds us that it takes more than good intentions to accomplish wide-reaching goals like these. Notably, former President Obasanjo spent his term in office trying to clean up the energy situation. The result, however, has been a continued separation between the people of the Delta region and the profit derived from natural resources there, a decrease in the stability in the area, as well as a lack of improvement in the level of poverty that the people of this region face.

If Yar’Adua wants to follow up his promises with concrete results, which has the potential for both economic and social stabilization of the Delta region, he should follow a different road than his predecessor. With this in mind, the IIJD has three major recommendations that should be undertaken by Yar’Adua and his government.

First and foremost, a division of governmental and executive powers – especially in regards to the valuable energy industry offers strong opposition to corruption. The more executive power is consolidated the less transparent their actions are. By involving a greater number of people, for example by selecting an independent Minister of Energy, the more protected the ministry will be.

Second and third, the IIJD encourages the Nigerian government to strengthen and empower both the anti-corruption forces in Nigeria, as well as the Nigerian judicial system. By giving more authority and sway to groups un-influenced by the current government, Yar’Adua increases the chances of truly eradicating Nigeria’s problems with corruption.