Study Session 15

CULTURE OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

15.0 Introduction

In this session, we examine the culture of corruption in Nigeria and how it has affected

social, economic, and political activities in the country. You will also learn about the

meaning of corruption, how it grew through the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial

periods, the causes of corruption as well as possible solutions to corruption in the

country.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this session, you should be able to:

15.1 State the meaning of corruption (SAQ 15.1)

15.2 Narrate the beginning of corruption in Nigeria (SAQ 15.2)

15.3 List the causes of corruption (SAQ 15.3)

15.4 Discuss the effects of corruption on Nigeria (SAQ 15.4)

15.5 Proffer solutions to corruption in Nigeria (SAQ 15.5)

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Main Content

15.1 The Meaning of Corruption

We must note that there is no single approach to the understanding or definition of

corruption because the concept may vary from one society to another. However, for

the purpose of our discussion, corruption can be seen as any attempt to take

advantage of the system or manipulate laid down procedures in order to benefit

oneself. This may include: using our position or status in society to secure certain

advantages, bribery, extortion, contract fraud, abuse of public office for personal

gains, “brown envelope journalism”, making others bend the rule in our favour,

jumping a queue, embezzlement, pocketing the salaries of non-existent workers,

soliciting marks/scores from teachers, steering plum jobs to relatives and friends,

electoral corruption, bureaucratic corruption, judicial corruption, giving or receiving

gratifications, and improper benefits that are not supported by legal or moral norms

to the disadvantage of other Nigerians. It is due to this complex nature of corruption

that it is sometimes referred as the cancer that can spread easily to any part of our

society. Also, it is generally perceived as anti-social and a condemnable action.

What we should also add is that when people perceive corruption as a way of life,

then the culture of corruption is established in that society. Let us remember that

culture is described as a way of life of any given community. Therefore, if corruption

becomes the rule rather than the exception in any given society or for the people to

live by corrupt acts in their day-to-day activities, that society can be said to have

embraced the culture of corruption. Therefore, what we currently have in Nigeria can

be described as the prevalence of the culture of corruption.

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15.2 The Beginning of Corruption in Nigeria

We must note that based on our definition of corruption, it is difficult to see a society

without corruption. However, it is generally believed that pre-colonial Nigerian

communities were built on strong traditional moral values that enjoined every member

to pursue integrity, shun corrupt acts and respect the rules of social conduct and social

engagement. On the contrary, those who engaged in corrupt acts were openly shamed

and their family names could even be ridiculed. Sometimes, ritual means were used

to instil fear in the hearts of the people and this discouraged them from imbibing

corruption as a way of life.

However, this situation of things changed with the incursion of the colonial

administrators in the affairs of Nigerian communities. Therefore, it is generally

believed that colonialism worsened or liberalised corruption in Nigeria. You will note

that the introduction of Indirect Rule system of administration in the country imposed

elements of Western monetary culture and administrative system and abolished the

ritual aspects of pre-colonial Nigerian communities. This changed the way the people

perceived public office and the gains that accrued thereof. Second, some of the

warrant officers who were selected to replace the traditional rulers were people of

questionable character and were usually intoxicated by power, leading to abuse of

office. Some of them demanded bribes to set free offenders in their courts, while

others took delight in flamboyant lifestyles. This strongly enhanced the breeding of

corruption in the Nigerian colonial system. Third, the colonial system of taxation was

generally devoid of transparency and accountability. Those who were saddled with the

responsibility of collecting taxes from the people manipulated the system to enrich

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themselves and their cronies. This led to some of the tax-related confrontations that

took place in Igboland such as the Aba Women’s Riot and also in Yorubaland.

However, the British colonial authorities crushed the resistance by strengthening their

police and military formations, thus creating further avenues for corruption. Fourth,

the monetisation policy promoted by colonialism made giving and receiving bribes

much easier among Nigerians. Thus, it was common for people to offer money to buy

their freedom in the Native Court, subvert due processes or simply to punish perceived

opponents of the colonial system.

We must now emphasise that when independence or decolonisation was achieved,

the culture of corruption that was already entrenched in the system during the colonial

period continued to spread to all segments of the Nigerian state. This became worse

when crude oil export replaced agriculture as the main foreign exchange earner for

the country. Gradually, the culture of hard work that was the hallmark of most pre-

colonial agricultural Nigerian communities was relegated to the background. The new

era of quick and easy money made some people lazy, cunning and corrupt.

Activity

Think about how colonialism influenced corruption in Nigeria.

15.3 Causes of Corruption

Now we will discuss some causes of corruption in Nigeria. We must understand that

the complex nature of corruption makes it a multifaceted social occurrence. However,

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there are certain identifiable causes of corruption in the country. First is the issue of

greed. You will observe that people who are not satisfied with what they have, no

matter how little or huge it may be, are bound to embrace corruption. Greed can be

present among the poor and the rich. Greedy people are most likely to subvert laid

down processes, manipulate others to do their wish, and force others to satisfy their

selfish desires.

Second, we can also argue that the poor reward system in Nigeria has a way of

encouraging the people to be corrupt. When the people think their labour is not

adequately compensated, they are likely to subvert the entire system to help

themselves. This is coupled with the fact that salaries and allowances of civil/public

servants are generally low compared to the global average. For instance, the much

talked about corruption among civil servants and security personnel has been

attributed to their low or poor remuneration. While this may not be entirely true, it

does give an indication that a people may seek “self-help” if they consider themselves

disadvantaged by the system they work hard to serve. On the contrary, political office

holders enjoy high salaries and allowances, and some of them are even considered

corrupt because of their insatiable appetite for opulence.

Third, we must note that poverty or lack of basic necessities of life can predispose

people to corruption. While not all poor people are corrupt, it is logical to argue that

people who lack some good things of life may be easier to manipulate or induce by

those who want to have their way by all means and at all cost. This can explain why

petty corruption is prevalent among the low cadre of the civil service.

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Fourth, we should also note that weak and ineffective institutions have also promoted

corruption in Nigeria. In some instances, Nigeria’s culture of “anything goes” has a

way of encouraging people to be corrupt or subvert the system since they know they

are not likely to be caught or apprehended. In some cases, government officials

believe they can get away with whatever allegations of corruption or unwholesome

acts levelled against them provided they have the right connection or network. This is

made worse by a legal system that is slow to address grievances, reward the just and

punish offenders.

Fifth, traditional and cultural issues such as pressure from extended family members,

ethnic and community leaders as well as loyalty to certain associations and

organisation can also encourage people to be corrupt. In some instances, public

officials steal public funds because of their desire to satisfy family members or give in

to pressures from the leaders of their communities, associations or organisations. This

is how nepotism, a major aspect of corruption has become the bane of development

in Nigeria.

15.4 Effects of Corruption on Nigeria

We can see the effects of corruption everywhere around us. Indeed, we can describe

corruption as the biggest challenge faced by Nigerians because it permeates every

sector of our society. The effects of corruption range from social, to economic and

political consequences. For example, several political institutions and activities in

Nigeria are manipulated because of corruption. When this is the case, the political

rights of the people to choose their representatives or leaders freely can be

compromised. An example of this is election rigging that has become a negative aspect

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of the political history of Nigeria. Indeed, when electoral institutions and processes

are manipulated, they tend to lose their legitimacy and the mandate of the people,

thus endangering the democratic process in the country. Once the political process is

corrupted, the rest of our society is adversely affected.

Second, you will observe that one major economic effect of corruption is that it

destroys the national treasury or financial strength of the country. That is why despite

the abundant natural and human resources in Nigeria, the country is still struggling

with its Third World status. Funds that have been embezzled in Nigeria are taken away

and hidden in foreign banks in Switzerland, France, Britain and the USA, whereas

Nigerians whose funds have been looted continue to live in abject poverty. This

situation has hindered the development of the country in all fronts. For example,

because of financial misappropriation and embezzlement, Nigeria is unable to fix its

broken and dilapidated infrastructure (such as roads, schoolsl,etc); the educational

sector is poorly funded, maternal health crises persist all over the country, amidst

other related corruption-induced national challenges. In a nutshell, the diversion of

public resources has adversely affected the growth and development of the country

as well as the ability of Nigerians to move the country forward.

Third, a major social effect of corruption is that it has become an irritating part of the

culture of Nigerians. Indeed, most Nigerians are now sceptical of a free and fair

process, and several others are not ready to be committed or give their best to move

Nigeria forward. Similarly, corruption has given Nigeria and Nigerians a negative image

in the international arena. This adversely affects the way Nigeria, Nigerians, and the

leadership in Nigeria are perceived by other Africans and non-Africans.

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 Activity

Think about how corruption has affected every segment of

Nigeria.

15.5

Solutions to Corruption in Nigeria

The culture of corruption in Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unabated. First,

Nigerians need to imbibe the right values and attitude to life. The issue of greed must

be addressed at the individual, community and national levels. On the other hand, the

reward system needs to be restructured in such a way as to encourage and reward

hard work, while indolence will be discouraged.

Second, the monetisation of the political process in Nigeria must be discouraged. While

political office holders deserve to be remunerated, it should be done in such a manner

that they will not become masters and lords over the people they represent. Similarly,

the fund spent during electioneering should be such that it will not encourage political

office holders to divert public funds or empty the treasury when they are elected.

Third, Nigeria needs committed leadership that will be ready to fight corruption with

the right political, legal and economic instrument, without fear or favour but with

fairness and equity to all Nigerians irrespective of their religious, political or ethnic

affiliation. This is a credible way to end corruption in the country.

Fourth, the judiciary needs to be strengthened and reinvigorated to be able to cope

with corruption-related cases. If the judges are fearless, persistent and not corrupt,

civil servants and political office holders will think twice before engaging in corruption.

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In the same vein, if the laws on corruption are stringent, up-to-date and effective, the

fight against corruption will receive the needed impetus.

Fifth, the government needs to strengthen a reinvigorate and the various anti-

corruption agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC),

the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Code of Conduct Bureau

(CCB), the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and others

to make them live up to their mandates and the expectations of Nigerians.

Summary of Study Session 15

After going through this session, you have learned the following:

(i) The meaning of corruption.

(ii) The beginning of corruption in Nigeria.

(iii) Causes of Corruption in Nigeria.

(iv) The Effects of Corruption on Nigeria.

(v) Solutions to Corruption in Nigeria.

Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 15

Now that you have completed this study session, you should assess how much you

have learned by attempting the following questions. You can write your answers in a

note book so as to be able to discuss extensively on it with your tutor at the next

interactive session.

SAQ 15.1: What do you understand by the term corruption?

SAQ 15.2: Trace the beginning of the culture of corruption in Nigeria.

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SAQ 15.3: What would you consider the causes of corruption in Nigeria?

SAQ 15.4: What are the observable effects of corruption on Nigeria?

SAQ 15.5: What would you consider as solutions to corruption in Nigeria

References/ Suggestion for Further Reading

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act 2004.

Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Act 2000.

Page, M. (July 17, 2018). New Taxonomy for Corruption in Nigeria. Carnegie

Endowment for International Peace.

Pierce, S. (2016). Moral Economies of Corruption: State Formation and Political

Culture in Nigeria. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

Rose-Ackerman, S. and B. J. Palifka (2016). Corruption and Government: Causes,

Consequences, and Reform. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Smith, D.J. (2010). A Culture of Corruption: Everyday Deception and Popular

Discontent in Nigeria. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

“United Nations Convention Against Corruption,” Article 61, United Nations, 2004.

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