Communique by “Think Tank on Nigeria”, A policy advocacy online platform issued on May 25, 2023

SUBJECT: Corruption in Nigeria

PREAMBLE

The “Think Tank on Nigeria (TTON)” organisation is a policy advocacy platform with over 250 members of various professions drawn from the different geo-political zones of Nigeria. We discuss and analyse Nigerian policies and politics, with the aim of proffering solutions to developmental challenges the country might be faced with. Rich contributions are made by experts in different fields, which could be converted to veritable actions if adopted, in order to bring needed positive changes.

Transparency International’s Corruption Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

In 2021, Nigeria, with 24 points, ranked 154th in the 180 countries listed in the Corruption Index (with South Sudan, at 180th, being the most corrupt, and Denmark the least). She ranked 40th among 53 African countries. This is most unfortunate.

According to Belda Mullor, Guillermo (2018) in “Citizens’ Attitude towards Political Corruption and the Impact of Social Media” (Thesis), corruption is an anti-social attitude awarding improper privileges contrary to legal and moral norms and impairs the authorities’ capacity to secure the welfare of all citizens.

It is instructive to note that incidences of corruption are not limited to the public sector alone. Neither is it a contemporary phenomenon in Nigeria because the first high-profile case of corruption dated back to 1944. It also cuts across all tribes, governments, and sectors.

The discussion was moderated by the Convener, Engr. Dideolu Falobi (FNSE, FloD) and the discussion was guided by the following questions:

• What are the different types of corruption?
• Why has corruption been so enduring and eendemic in Nigeria?
• What are our observations about corruption in Nigeria?
• What are the impacts of corruption in Nigeria?
• How can we reduce or eliminate corruption in Nigeria?

OBSERVATIONS

The following observations and key resolutions were recorded after a robust deliberation on the issues relating to corruption:

1. Corruption in Nigeria is embedded in the human, carnal, selfish nature of society. This is due to a lack of shared social values that drive corporate governance in the private sector, but are made inapplicable to the public sector. The private sector is also complicit in this, due to its abysmal application of corporate governance principles and the refusal of the citizenry to apply the principles of collective interest to drive actions in its own interests.
2. Corruption is an endemic problem in many countries, especially in government offices. It is a pernicious and nefarious scourge that has a far-reaching impact on the lives of citizens.
3. Corruption is a malicious vice that affects the development of a nation. It is a deliberate process of stealing and is perpetrated by those who share the same values. It is at the root of indolent civil servants and a comatose public service bureaucracy.
4. One of the major causes of corruption in Nigeria is the lack of transparency and accountability in the governance process. The absence of effective checks and balances has led to a culture of impunity, where public officials feel they can act with impunity and engage in corrupt practices without fear of being held accountable.
5. Another contributing factor to corruption in Nigeria is poverty. The high level of poverty in the country has made many people desperate and willing to engage in corrupt practices.
6. Furthermore, the ‘big man’ factor and the syndrome of building strong men have exacerbated the problem of corruption.
7. The primary causes of corruption in the civil service are linked to the financial incentives of the service members. Civil servants are highly placed public officials and are thus in a position to make decisions that benefit them financially.
8. Additionally, the dysfunctional system of government and the disenfranchisement of citizens, either through systemic diversion or deliberate abuse, can also contribute to corruption.
9. Each of the types of corruption that have been described has distinct names across all African cultures. There are specific local proverbs/sayings that speak to them in clear terms.

Thus, corruption is local and they come in various forms. Some of the different types of corruption are:

• The intentional deception or misrepresentation of facts for personal gain.
• Kickbacks
• Payment of a portion of a contract or transaction to a person who helped secure a contract.
• Abuse of power.
• The use of public office for personal gain.
• Money laundering i.e. the process of disguising the proceeds of illegal activity as legitimate funds by funneling them through a complex web of transactions.
• Influence peddling i.e. selling one’s influence or access to public officials or decision-makers for personal gain.
• Nepotism and elite capture

10. In many countries, the immunity clause in the constitution makes it difficult to hold public office holders accountable and often allows them to escape punishment for their crimes. Therefore, the above-listed malpractices are often enabled by the immunity clause in the Constitution.
11. Corruption is also associated with a lack of transparency and accountability from the government, as well as a lack of resources for the public.
12. Religion and tribal sentiments are major factors that have contributed to corruption in Nigeria. Other causes include:

• Greed and the desire to get rich quickly.
• The emergence of various get-rich-quick schemes such as betting, 419, “Yahoo” and “Yahoo plus” schemes.
• Fake investment schemes such as Ponzi schemes.
• Poor quality of work.
• Lack of patriotism.
• Lawlessness
• Illiteracy
• Inflation
• Lack of integrity and moral values
• Inequality
• Poverty
• Lack of strong legal framework
• Poor enforcement of existing laws
• Poor governance system
• Political patronage
• Systemic weakness
• Lack of accountability

IMPACT OF CORRUPTION

1.Corruption has a hugely detrimental effect on society. It impacts the quality of public services and infrastructure, diverts public funds away from social programs, and can lead to a lack of confidence in the government, which can lead to further disempowerment of citizens.

2. Corruption has a far-reaching impact on the development of a nation. It hinders growth and development and also affects the moral values and virtues of the people. This can be seen in the way many Nigerians prefer to stay outside the country due to the low moral values and virtues in the nation.
3. Corruption has had a devastating effect on Nigeria, causing rebellion such as Boko Haram and kidnapping, lack of infrastructural development, underdevelopment, preventable deaths due to collapsed buildings, fake drugs, ineffective medical systems, low life expectancy, high unemployment rate, and a lack of meritocracy.
4. The impact of corruption on Nigeria is significant. It has led to a huge waste of public resources, as well as a lack of trust in the government.
5. It has also stifled economic growth and development, as the money which should have gone into the development of the country is instead siphoned off into the pockets of corrupt officials.
6. The recent Naira redesign policy aimed to eliminate vote-dealing, another form of corruption, from the electoral system and has had both positive and negative consequences.
7. Corruption can have severe consequences for society, such as undermining the rule of law and damaging the public’s trust in government and public institutions because of this.
8. It can also lead to economic inequality, as the proceeds of corruption are often used to benefit a small elite and those with money are able to take advantage of the system more than those without.
9. Corruption has a damaging effect on the economy, society, and the environment. Other effects of corruption include:

• Underdevelopment
• Systemic failure
• Division and hatred
• Immorality
• Increase in poverty level
• Poor access to basic amenities
• Poor infrastructure
• High cost of living
• Economic marginalization
• Insecurity
• Brain drain
• Injustice
• Loss of investor confidence
• Deterioration in public services
• Decline in investments
• Worsening poverty
• Increase in unemployment

KEY RESOLUTIONS/CONSENSUS OUTCOME

There are a number of solutions that can be employed to reduce corruption. Some of these were highlighted during the discussion:

1. It is essential to teach civic responsibilities in primary schools, secondary schools, and tertiary institutions. Pupils must be taught to imbibe the spirit and culture of contentment. Parents/Guardians must check the bags of their children each time they come back home from school, with a view to stopping them from ‘taking’ what does not belong to them. Also, parents must watch out for the company their children keep. As it is said, ‘Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are’. Mindsets need to be changed, and enlightenment on the ills of corruption needs to be communicated from the level of children to adults.

2.It is important for citizens to recognise the importance of shared social values and collective interests, as well as to start fighting corruption from within themselves. Only then can we begin to tackle the problem of corruption in Nigeria.

3. Electoral reforms should be continued with a view to improve transparency, reduce the cost of electioneering and ensure that votes count. The process of electioneering and campaigns must be such that can encourage citizen participation and throw up credible candidates. The use of money to influence voters should not only be discouraged but severely punished in line with the law/electoral act. Those with questionable records need to be checkmated, and barred from positions of leadership and influence, not only politically but in other spheres of leadership.
4. We must strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks: Nigeria should enact and enforce strong anti-corruption laws and regulations, and create independent institutions to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.
5. Increase transparency: The government should ensure that its activities and decision-making processes are transparent and open to public scrutiny. This can be achieved by making information easily accessible to the public and by promoting the use of open data platforms.
6. Improve accountability: It is important to hold public officials and institutions accountable for their actions and inactions. We should establish oversight mechanisms, such as independent audit bodies and investigative commissions, to ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions and inactions. Governments should also be made accountable and be required to do periodic accounts of their stewardship.
7. Encourage citizen participation: Public oversight can help to increase transparency and accountability. We should promote and incentivize citizen participation in governance.
8. Promote ethical behaviour: Nigeria should promote and incentivize ethical behaviour, and create a culture where corruption is not tolerated. This can be achieved through education and awareness campaigns, as well as through the establishment of codes of conduct and ethics.

9.Enhance international cooperation: We should enhance international cooperation and coordination to combat corruption, particularly in cases where it involves transnational criminal activities.

10.Increase public awareness: We should promote public awareness of the harmful effects of corruption on society and the economy, and educate citizens on their role in preventing and combating corruption. Enhancing public awareness of processes and bureaucracy at all levels would create an enabling environment for citizens to speak out.

11.For those of questionable wealth, checks need to be done on their tax status. Also, the tax percentages for the very rich should be higher than those of the common man in order to discourage wealth inequality.

12.In order to combat corruption, those involved in oversight functions should avoid all forms of corruption. Meritocracy should be promoted in all areas, and honesty, fairness, transparency, openness, equity, and accountability should not be compromised.

13. Those on the supply chain of corruption elements should be drastically reduced in order to reduce the demand.
14. Laws need to be put in place and enforced, with strong-willed good leaders in office.

15.It is also important to have a fairer society, with laws that are fair and practical for all citizens.

16. Checks and balances need to be put in place to checkmate corruption and best practice from other countries should be implemented.
17. Psychologists can be engaged to devise ways in which the minds of the citizens can be re-engineered and made to know that corruption is the bane of the society that affects the development of a nation.

18.Also, past administrations ought to be probed and offenders must be promptly prosecuted.

19. Remunerations for the offices of political office holders should be made less attractive.

20.It is important to focus on building strong institutions such as the Executive, National Assembly, and Judiciary, and ensure their independence from each other.

21. Corrupt practices should be punished with sanctions and penalties, which should be adequate and enforced.
22. Ensure that the Police, Immigration, Nigeria Customs Service, and other paramilitary agencies are adequately compensated. Good salary and welfare packages are important for curbing corruption.
23. Reduce direct human contact with institutional processes through technology. The government should focus on putting systems in place to prevent corruption rather than fighting it, invest in systems that minimize person-to-person contact, and develop a fair and equitable welfare system for workers in the public sector.
24. Ensure the sanctity of the rule of law, reviewing minimum wages to reflect the economic reality across all sectors, strengthening SERVICOM and ensuring its full functionality, and implementing the Freedom of Information Law.

25.Individuals should strive to be role models and be accountable for their actions and inactions.

26.There is a need to develop a robust credit system that will allow people to live their “dream” lives.

27. Lastly, reduction of the poverty level.

CONCLUSION

In summary, corruption is a cankerworm in society that has the potential to retard national growth and development. It is a menace that needs to be addressed holistically and effectively. Governments, religious bodies, civil societies, individuals, and other stakeholders need to work together to fight against corruption. To effectively tackle the problem, it is essential to build a strong legal framework and adopt robust anti-corruption policies. It is also important to strengthen the rule of law, ensure transparency and accountability, and create a conducive environment for citizens to speak out. Moreover, efforts must be made to increase public awareness and education on the consequences of corruption, as well as to reduce opportunities for corruption by utilizing technology.

Corruption may not be wiped off completely, but it can be drastically reduced. Office holders in all sectors should be held to account and civics should be taught at different levels of the education sector. Through the collaboration of every stratum of society, corruption can be systematically uprooted. By implementing the proposed solutions, the severity of corruption can be reduced and public trust can be restored.

ENDORSED BY:

1. Engr. Dideolu Falobi, FNSE, FloD – CONVENER
2. Engr. Jones Nwadike, FNSE, KSM
3. Oluwafemi FAMUREWA
4. Richard Agabje-Mcthomas
5. Kayode Onanuga
6. Tayo Magbagbeola
7. Oladipo Olayinka
8. Prince Folagbade Kudehinbu
9. Dr. Ade Ehinmowo
10. Adekitan Isaac Adeyemi
11. Adebusuyi Tobiloba ADELEYE
12. Philip Adewunmi
13. Leke Bodunrin
14. Engr. Akintayo Akintola, FNSE
15. Engr. Nimot Muili
16. Rafiu B. Bale
17. Engr. Ganiyu Balogun
18. Mr. Dan I. Y. Nweze
19. Engr. David Adeyeye, MNSE
20. Dr. Nathaniel Atansuyi, FIIM, MNCS, MCPN (C.itp)
21. Engr. Babatunji Adegoke, MRICS, PMP, MNSE, MNIQS
22. Engr. Taiwo Orolu, MNSE
23. Engr. Dr. Osoba Lawrence Opeyemi
24. Dr. Kehinde Orolu
25. Olumide Adenekan
26. Engr. Isa Usman Emoabino
27. Sunday Toyin Abidemi
28. Damisola Matti-Balogun
29. Adeyemi Biodun OYEDEPO
30. Princess Dr. Ronke Ogunremi
31. Omosewa Arowolo, GMNSE
32. Prince Wale Odubote
33. Jimoh D. Akogun
34. Engr. Abdullahi Usman, MNSE, FNICE
35. Alhaji Olayemi Nasiru, FCA
36. Osikoya Ambrose Olufemi
37. Adekunle Bello
38. Ayo Fanimokun
39. Adebowale Banjoko
40. Komolafe IOS
41. Oluseye Ekun
42. Femi Adetunji-Teniola
43. Demola Obembe
44. Engr. Solomon Okogun
45. Engr. Ayotunde O. Ogunnoiki, FNSE, JP.
46. Engr. Olusegun Oyelola, FNSE
47. Engr. Michael Olanrewaju Ajiboye (MNSE)
48. Pastor Sunday Ojemoron (Engr.)
49. Elder Oladele Samson Ogunjebee JP.
50. Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede
51. Mr. Onorakpene Eviosekwofa
52. Opeyemi Adeyinka ASAOLU, Ph.D
53. Ashafu Lawal
54. Engr. Olusegun Afolabi
55. Ebenezer Osinuga
56. Mobolaji Olugbenga Oluwadunsin
57. Mrs. Kofoworola Ajelabi
58. JAEL SIMON
59. Yinka Kondu Maamiijebu
60. Adesina Osinloye
61. Emeka Madu
62. Engr. Abdullahi Usman, MNSE, FNICE
63. Engr. Anas SULAIMAN
64. PROF. ADERONKE LAWAL-ARE
65. Adefidipe Samuel Adesanmi
66. Dr. Ogundahunsi Dele Sunday
67. Kunle Coker
68. Engr. KamoruBusari, FNSE
69. Benjamin Ubido
70. Aare Ayodele Bankole
71. Dr. Babatope Babalobi
72. Alhaji Ibrahim M. Magaji
73. Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
74. Engr. Rankins Oguara, MNSE
75. Kenny Odugbemi
76. Mrs Kofoworola Ajelabi
77. Dr. Rasheed Salami
78. Engr. Oluwole Shodunke
79. Olatunji Ope
80. Adebayo O. Fasanu
81. Dr. Joshua Ajewole
82. Gbenga Ehinola
83. Femi Adetunji-Teniola
84. Sir Gbenga Badejo FCA, KJW

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