IS NIGERIA FUNDAMENTALLY CORRUPT?

When considering Africa’s history, the prevalence of administrative corruption, which is commonly observed in Africa today, is a relatively new phenomenon. In pre-colonial Africa, ethical values were deeply ingrained and often intertwined with spiritual beliefs. These values aimed to establish social justice and adherence to standards. Governance in both centralized and decentralized pre-colonial African societies was taken very seriously. Since many laws were not in written form and could be easily forgotten, they were often described in supernatural terms to instill fear and become ingrained in the collective consciousness. Numerous examples highlight the emphasis on accountability and good governance in various pre-colonial African communities.

For instance, in West Africa, the Asante confederation operated under strict rules and regulations, with the symbolic Golden Stool of Asante-Hene holding the kingdom together. In Igbo acephalous society, which lacked central authority, leadership was vested in the people, exemplifying accountability and good governance. Titled chiefs gathered to address complex governance issues, and there was a saying that a “titled man does not lie,” signifying that the truth and just justice could be found by consulting these esteemed individuals. Among the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria, the Oyo-mesi institution served as a check on the power of the Alafin (the Oba or King of Oyo). This system ensured that the Alafin ruled with caution and respect for his subjects. When the Alafin engaged in actions detrimental to his subjects, such as gross miscarriages of justice for personal gain, the Oyo-mesi would symbolically present him with an empty calabash or parrot’s eggs, indicating that he should commit suicide as he couldn’t be deposed according to tradition.

Colonialism introduced widespread corruption across much of sub-Saharan Africa. It repudiated indigenous values, standards, checks, and balances, while imposing Western structures that disrupted the well-functioning bureaucratic systems of pre-colonial Africa. The consequences are what we see prevalent in Africa today: conspicuous consumption, disloyalty to the state, oppressive and corrupt state institutions, and more. Several factors contributed to the spread of corruption during colonialism. The colonial rulers held power in trust for their respective governments, turning governance into a means to extract obedience from the people. In many cases, individuals who were often the least qualified and of questionable character were promoted as warrant chiefs by British authorities. This promoted corruption at the highest levels of governance. To avoid punishment as colonial subjects, bribery became the first and last resort for accessing basic rights.

Pre-colonial Africa, as previously mentioned, was known for its strong moral values. Even those who were unable to contribute due to age, illness, or physical limitations were taken care of. Colonialism disrupted these systems by uprooting men from farms to work for the colonizers, introducing a form of greed previously unknown in many African societies. Colonial masters, living in opulent homes and driving luxurious cars while displaying disdain for Africans, became the new aspirational figures. Corruption has deeply infiltrated Nigeria’s political landscape. Globally, it is widely acknowledged that corrupt practices are pervasive and systemic in both the public and private sectors of Nigeria. Corruption erodes the country’s integrity and security, posing significant developmental challenges and contributing to widespread poverty. Public resources meant for development end up concentrated in the hands of a few, leading to the absence of essential amenities like clean water, electricity, and good roads. This demoralizes the population and makes them susceptible to being used as saboteurs against the state. Corruption has also led to the demise of once-proud national institutions like Nigerian Airways, National Shipping Lines, Steel Rolling Mills, Nigerian Telecommunication Limited, and car assembly plants.

Corruption is not limited to politicians, civil servants, or industry leaders; it permeates all levels of society. The culture of corruption is often ingrained from an early age, and people naturally resort to corrupt practices when they attain positions of authority, whether in the public or private sector. Corruption is a multifaceted concept with various interpretations, ranging from unlawful appropriation of wealth to the conversion of power and authority into financial gain. Any act, behavior, or omission that influences the actions of others, whether influential or influenced, disrupts the system and is detrimental to society. In simple terms, corruption can be defined as the misallocation of public resources for private gain, including practices such as bribery, embezzlement, contract manipulation, and artificial scarcity. Corruption hampers economic growth, exacerbates inequalities, and diminishes the government’s ability to address people’s needs, ultimately leading to poverty in society.

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Corruption has a detrimental impact on economic and social progress as it leads to incorrect decision-making and fosters a culture of competition in bribery rather than promoting the quality and affordability of goods and services. Often, it means that the world’s most impoverished individuals end up paying the price for the corruption of their own officials and agents of multinational corporations. Numerous factors have been suggested as potential reasons for the prevalence of corruption in Nigeria. These factors encompass various aspects, including the lack of adherence to religious principles, the influence of values and ideas foreign to the culture, ethnic divisions that promote favoritism and nepotism, a legal system that is more often violated than upheld, and the excessive materialism perpetuated by an individualistic capitalist order that prioritizes personal wealth over the collective welfare of society.

Additional contributors to corruption include poverty, illiteracy, a fixation on acquiring wealth, a statist approach, improper attitudes toward public property, the absence of a social safety net to mitigate the effects of unemployment, retirement, and large families, the pursuit of power, double standards, and a low level of patriotism. It is worth noting that in Nigeria, individuals’ sources of wealth often raise no concerns among their neighbors, the public, or the government, even when they are known to be corrupt. Wealthy individuals with corrupt backgrounds are frequently embraced and honored by communities, religious organizations, social clubs, and private groups, leading to a lack of accountability.

While traditional practices like gift-giving and tributes to leaders sometimes result in what is described as “Polite Corruption,” the extent of such corruption is relatively limited in Nigeria. According to some experts, the benefits of corruption often outweigh the consequences of being exposed and disciplined. The costs of corruption can be categorized into four main areas: political, economic, social, and environmental. In the political realm, corruption poses a significant challenge to democracy and the rule of law. In a democratic system, when offices and institutions are misused for personal gain, they lose their legitimacy, which is harmful to the democratic process and political leadership. From an economic perspective, corruption depletes a nation’s wealth. It results in the misallocation of scarce public resources towards uneconomical high-profile projects, such as costly power plants and pipelines, rather than essential investments in education, healthcare, roads, and rural infrastructure. This misallocation hinders the development of fair market structures, resulting in job losses and reduced investment opportunities.

On the social front, corruption erodes public trust in the political system and its institutions, leading to apathy and a lack of engagement with government policies. This weakens civil society and its ability to hold leaders accountable. Environmental degradation is another consequence of corrupt systems. The failure to enforce environmental regulations and legislation has led to environmental pollution in Nigeria. Irresponsible exploitation of natural resources, including oil and minerals, by domestic and international actors has resulted in severe environmental damage, impacting the health of the population. Projects that cause significant environmental harm are often favored for funding because they offer opportunities for embezzling public funds for private gain.

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POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Education serves as the most influential means of transmitting culture and facilitating a transformation of the prevailing social norms. To bring about a genuine shift in mental and intellectual independence, a comprehensive revamp of the formal education curriculum in Nigeria is imperative. In parallel, non-formal educational avenues like conferences, workshops, camps, and other similar settings should be extensively employed to re-educate citizens on the idea that true fulfillment is achieved when individuals possess strong moral values or, at the very least, sincerely strive to uphold them. Additionally, informal channels such as the media should be harnessed as a vital tool for mass mobilization, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Nigeria’s authentic social, cultural, and economic milieu.

Efforts should be made to encourage, motivate, and facilitate Nigerians to travel extensively throughout the continent, aiming to mitigate the ethnic tensions ignited by colonialism, perpetuated by post-colonial power struggles among ruling elites, and exacerbated by geographical limitations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requires legitimate leadership to enable them to assert their independence and establish integrity within their ranks. Granting the EFCC full autonomy in addressing corruption cases is crucial. Anti-corruption laws, legislations, and regulations should be presented in plain language and made accessible to the general populace. Addressing poverty is essential, as it is a breeding ground for corruption. The Nigerian government should focus on tangible development measures that improve the standard of living, including healthcare, education, food security, and infrastructure growth, rather than solely emphasizing an inflated Gross Domestic Product figure. Recognizing that Nigerians often heed their spiritual leaders more than politicians and policymakers, religious platforms should be mobilized to serve as knowledge and faith-based platforms for reaching the hearts and minds of Nigerians and guiding them towards nation-building.

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REFERENCES

Agbese, D. (1992) “Corruption, the Palm Oil that stains the fingers of the Giver and the        Receiver” Newswatch 15(109 -115), 9 – 15.

Dadajo, K. (2008). “The Constitutional fight against corruption in Nigeria: Is it enough?”           International   Journal of Government, Finance and Management, 8,61-70.

Okolo, P., & Akpokighe, O. (2014). Federalism and Resource Control: The Nigerian Experience.       Journal of       Public Policy and Administration Research, 4(2). 99 – 109.

Diamond, L. (1991). “Political corruption: Nigeria’s Perennial Struggle” Journal of Democracy,       2(4) 73-85.

Okolo, P. (2014). Managing Minority Problems in Nigeria: The case of the Ethnic Minorities of          the Niger Delta Region. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 5(6),        152-163.

Maduegbuna, N. (2005). “Anti-Corruption in Nigeria: Public Communications Perspective”,          Corporate Mirror, 1(10),16-18.

Nwaobi, G. (2004). Corruption and Bribery in the Nigerian Economy: An empirical investigation     public  Economics 0404006, EconWPA. Retrieved September 30, 2023, from            http://papers.ssrn.com/so13/papers.cfm?

Brownsberger, W. (1983).” Development and Governmental Corruption-materialism and political fragmentation in Nigeria”, Journal of Modern Africa Studies, 21, 215 -233.

Salisu, M. (2000). Corruption in Nigeria. Lancaster University Management School Working            paper 2000/006. The LUMS Working Papers series. Retrieved September 30, 2023 from            http://www.lums.co.uk/publications