Mustapha Muhammad, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kano State Governor, has been nominated as Nigerian of the Week by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for returning an excess Hajj allowance payment of SR6,000 (approximately N2.4 million) that was mistakenly paid to him in Saudi Arabia. The nomination comes amid widespread distrust of public officials, and Muhammad's gesture has been praised as a rare demonstration of honesty, accountability, and transparency in public service.
NOA Commends Mustapha Muhammad's Integrity
The NOA announced the nomination via its social media handles on Thursday, June 4, 2026, stating that Muhammad's action sends a strong message about ethical leadership and responsible conduct. The agency noted that the moral fibre of any society is built from simple exemplary behaviours, as demonstrated by Muhammad. According to the NOA, the nomination is a way of sending a direct message to public officers and media professionals to remain accountable and hardworking, values encoded in the National Value Charter.
Public Reactions Highlight Ethical Leadership
Many Nigerians have reacted positively to Muhammad's gesture. Mohammed Sheu Alabere described it as a commendable act of integrity and accountability, expressing hope that it would inspire others. Haruna Ibrahim praised the excellent conduct and high level of integrity. Abdullahi Mustapha congratulated Muhammad, while Isaac Alabi called him a good man to be emulated. Abdulkarim Abdulkarim AK remarked that Nigeria still has people like former President Buhari who uphold honesty.
Similar Acts of Honesty in Nigeria
This is not the first time a Nigerian has returned money mistakenly credited to their account. In a related incident, a Nigerian youth returned N2.2 million sent to his OPay account by mistake. The sender later offered him N50,000 as a token of appreciation, but the honest man declined. Additionally, a Nigerian lady shared an emotional story about her laundry man who returned money he found in her clothes, further highlighting the importance of integrity in everyday life.
These acts of honesty are especially significant in a country where trust in public officials is often low. Muhammad's nomination as Nigerian of the Week serves as a reminder that ethical leadership and responsible conduct are still valued and can inspire positive change in governance.
