The report by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) on corruption in Nigeria signals an urgent need for comprehensive anti-corruption reforms.
Development Diaries reports that the newly released report titled Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends, revealed that public officials received ₦721 billion in bribes in 2023.
This report underscores a deep-seated corruption issue within the country’s governance structures.
The astounding figure also emphasises how widespread bribery is, undermining public confidence, altering economic growth, and sustaining inequality.
According to the report, bribery in the public sector has remained about twice as high, with public sector contact rates also being twice as high as those in the private sector.
This development signals the urgent need for stronger enforcement of existing laws, and a cultural shift towards transparency and accountability in the public sector.
Not to mention that this development significantly contributes to citizens’ dissatisfaction and mistrust in governance.
With this kind of report, public confidence in the government’s ability to act in the best interests of its citizens is eroded, leading to a perceived lack of accountability and transparency in governance delivery.
Furthermore, bribery significantly hampers Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to governance, justice, and economic growth.
Corruption undermines effective governance by eroding trust in public institutions and reducing the efficiency of public service delivery.
Infrastructure development, health care, and education are examples of critical services that suffer when public officials put their interests ahead of the general welfare.
Especially, this resource misallocation has a direct impact on SDG 16, which strives to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions. It also erodes institutional integrity, encourages inequality, and impedes attempts to develop inclusive and accountable institutions.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration can address this menace by implementing robust anti-corruption measures and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
Strengthening institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is crucial.
Additionally, adopting and strengthening technology-driven solutions, such as e-governance platforms, can reduce opportunities for corrupt practices by minimising human interaction in service delivery processes.
Development Diaries calls on President Tinubu to prioritise anti-corruption efforts in order to restore public trust, enhance the efficiency of public services, and create a more conducive environment for economic growth and sustainable development.
Photo source: Bola Tinubu
