Three wise men of Lagos statue

The statue of the three wise men Chike and the others encounter upon arrival in Lagos is a symbol of the anti-corruption principles that both Sandayọ and Ahmed espouse. When Chike asks the bus driver what the statue says, he responds, "Shine your eye" (59). This is a Nigerian expression that means essentially, "Pay attention to what is really happening," similar to how one might "shine a light" on something to draw attention to it. Though Sandayọ is less than truthful about his reason for stealing the education fund and takes credit for fixing the schools, he seems to be genuinely disgusted with the rampant corruption in the Nigerian government. Ahmed has devoted his life to pointing out unethical behavior by officials, and loses everything because of it.