Tinubu government still endures corruption

A recently released report by the National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has further tarnished Nigeria’s already sullied image as a haven for corruption.

The report, titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” disclosed that public officials received a staggering N721 billion in bribes during 2023. This sum is not insignificant, representing approximately 0.35 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The enormity of this challenge underscores the daunting task that lies ahead for the Bola Tinubu administration in eradicating the pervasive corruption.

The survey highlighted that the average cash bribe amounted to N8,284, up from N5,754 in 2019. According to the report, corruption ranked as the fourth most pressing issue confronting Nigeria in 2023, trailing only the cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment.

The findings revealed that 56 percent of Nigerians had interactions with public officials in 2023, a decrease from 63 percent in 2019. Despite this reduction, bribery remains rampant, with an average of 5.1 bribes paid per person involved in bribery, resulting in a national total of approximately 87 million bribes. This is a drop from the estimated 117 million bribes recorded in 2019.

Bribery was found to be more prevalent in rural areas, with an average of 5.8 bribes per person compared to 4.5 bribes in urban regions. The report also pointed out that more than 95 percent of bribes were paid in cash or through money transfers in 2023. It further observed that public officials were the primary instigators of bribe demands, although private sector actors, including doctors in private hospitals, were also implicated. The incidence of bribery surged from 6.0 percent in 2019 to 14 percent in 2023.

Corruption permeates every facet of Nigerian society, manifesting most visibly in elections, the judiciary, government agencies, procurement and contract awards, payroll fraud, and extortion by security personnel. For many, corruption is seen as “the single greatest obstacle preventing Nigeria from realizing its vast potential.”

No sector is untouched by this blight. In March, the UNODC expressed concern over the rampant corruption within the judiciary, noting that 20 percent of individuals who interacted with the Nigerian judicial system faced demands for bribes.

Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has even asserted that some religious organizations are “more corrupt” than public institutions in Nigeria. The EFCC reported the recovery of $550 million by eliminating ‘ghost workers’ from the public payroll. The previous Muhammadu Buhari administration, through the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, recovered $370 million in unpaid taxes.

However, Buhari’s efforts were undermined by his controversial pardon of two ex-governors convicted of corruption. Additionally, a former Accountant-General of the Federation was accused of embezzling N109 billion, of which he reportedly returned N30 billion. Despite numerous court rulings, the government has yet to provide a transparent account of recovered assets. In one instance, a corruption case against a former governor was dropped in 2019, seemingly as part of a political arrangement with the Buhari administration.

Since taking office, the Tinubu administration has initiated the prosecution of several public officials. The EFCC has interrogated ministers from the Buhari administration, including Hadi Sirika, Saleh Mamman, and Sadiya Faruq, over allegations of public fund misappropriation.

Reflecting the entrenched nature of corruption in the country, Nigeria’s average score on the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index from 2014 to 2023 is a mere 27 out of 100, placing it as the 145th most corrupt nation out of 180 countries.

The Center for International Private Enterprise, based in the United States, argues that the anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria is failing primarily because it is “selective, ineffective, and lacks credibility.” PwC warns that corruption could erode up to 37 percent of Nigeria’s GDP by 2030 if left unaddressed. The UNODC echoes this concern, stating that “corruption exacerbates inequality and injustice, and undermines stability, particularly in the world’s most vulnerable regions.”

Worryingly, Tinubu has yet to articulate a clear strategy to tackle corruption, although he has ordered an investigation into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Many prominent figures in his administration, including top members of the All Progressives Congress, have faced corruption accusations, and one minister is currently suspended due to corruption allegations.

To effectively combat corruption, it is imperative for Tinubu to develop and implement a practical and comprehensive strategy.