Bribery and corruption are bane of Nigeria’s development

 

Last Thursday, October 8, 2026, Stanley Alieke, my learned friend’s firm, Law Capitol organised a public discuss with the theme “Criminal Administration in Nigeria- Economic and Financial Crimes in Focus”. Stan practically dragged me there as a discussant. It turned out to be very exciting, with many legal luminaries and academic juggernauts in attendance. The Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman, as well as a couple of the anti-corruption agency’s directors, were in attendance.   My intervention at the event was that we often focus on mega corruption among the political class and public servants while glossing over the petty corruption many of us commit with impunity every day. I also cited the phenomenon of spiritual corruption where many religious leaders are now deeply enmeshed in corrupt practices.

According to the Financial Crimes Academy, “Bribery and corruption are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Bribery refers to the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the decision or behavior of an individual in a position of trust, such as a government official, either directly or indirectly. Corruption, on the other hand, is the exploitation of entrusted power for personal gain. Both of these practices have devastating effects on businesses and societies, damaging reputations, hindering economic growth, and eroding trust in public institutions.”

In his book “The Trials of Bro. Jero”, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka exposed the underbelly of religious exploitation, where a self-acclaimed prophet, Jeroboam, deceives his gullible followers for economic gains. Fake spiritualists are two for a penny now. And they are found across all religions. They see fake visions and create fear in their followers with the aim of exploiting them financially. However, there are also genuine men of God, like Gehazi in the Bible, who are very greedy and use the pulpit to feather their nest. They embezzle tithes and offerings of the church and engage in all sorts of corrupt practices, including sexual exploitation of female members of their congregation.

 

How many of us would not prefer to pay a bribe in lieu of prosecution for traffic offenses? When some of us engage in energy theft through what is called ‘by pass’, how many of the offenders will prefer prosecution to bribing the staff of the electricity distribution companies? In a similar manner, the electricity distribution companies that serve customers with estimated billing- is that not a corrupt practice? Why should I pay for what I did not consume? Journalists who demand a bribe in order to publish or air a news item that should be free are complicit. When you hear of the ‘brown envelope’ phenomenon in Nigeria’s media circle, it’s a euphemism for a bribe. A Radio or Television DJ that’s asking an upcoming artiste for a bribe before he or she can air the music or content of the artiste is guilty of corruption.

Adulteration of products in order to maximise gains, using padded bowls to measure grains to customers in the market; using substandard spare parts when you collect money for the original. They are all corrupt practices. Often, if you’re not ready to pay a bribe to government officials in charge of issuing driving licenses or international passports, be prepared to wait for Godot before your documents are processed. In some government hospitals in Nigeria, consultation fees are paid in cash to officials without receipts being issued. Before you can secure bed spaces for a sick patient in some government hospitals, you have to grease the palms of the officers in charge; otherwise, you’ll be told there are no bed spaces. In some public schools, you have to bribe to get admission that you’re ordinarily qualified for. Pupils and students are sometimes asked for fees and levies that aren’t approved by the government. The list goes on!

Grand corruption, because of the huge funds involved, has crippled Nigeria’s economy. In May 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years’ imprisonment for diverting funds meant for Nigeria’s major hydropower projects. The judge, James Omotosho, convicted and sentenced Mamman on 12 counts of N33.8bn fraud. Imagine what that humongous sum of money could do if used properly for infrastructure development.

Early this month, Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission disclosed that the anti-graft agency can only recover roughly 60 per cent of stolen funds after they have been taken. Olukoyede made this revelation on Friday, October 2, 2026, while speaking at the inauguration of the EFCC Zonal Office in Awka, Anambra State.

An online source says, “Corruption in Nigeria’s governance has been a persistent challenge, costing the country over $400 billion since independence. It has significantly undermined development and public trust, with estimates suggesting it could cost up to 37 per cent of GDP by 2030. The economic consequences are profound, as corruption discourages foreign investment, skews public spending away from essential services, and fuels inequality and poverty.” I couldn’t agree more with this submission.

Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework combines constitutional provisions, statutory laws, and regulatory enforcement to combat bribery, embezzlement, and financial crimes. Key statutes include the 1999 Constitution, Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, EFCC Act, and Code of Conduct Act. There is also the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2022-2026, which is a Ministerial Committee established to drive measures to significantly reduce the incidence of corruption in Nigeria. Furthermore, there is the Whistleblower Protection Policy, which encourages citizens to report corrupt activities without fear of retaliation, enhancing transparency and accountability. Lastly, there is the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council to promote good and ethical conduct among Nigerian citizens.

Despite all this, it is doubtful whether Nigeria is winning the war against corruption. In 2025, Nigeria ranked 142nd on the Corruption Perception Index, with a score of 26 out of 100, reflecting a slight decline in its global standing on public sector corruption. This ranking indicates persistent challenges in governance and anti-corruption reforms, with Nigeria’s CPI score remaining unchanged from 2024.

Enforcement remains a persistent challenge in the war against bribery and corruption, even though I also admit that we need to tighten the nuts and bolts of our anti-corruption laws. For instance, we need a whistleblower protection law. Above all, there is a need for public sensitisation. I am glad EFCC already has a radio station at its Abuja headquarters. Media, civil society and the citizenry must join hands to bring the situation under control. Let’s learn to do the right things, always!

I.G: @jideojong