CORRUPTION AND ITS IMPLICATION ON DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Anchovur, Timothy Tyowase, Ahoo, Jude Terhile, Onojah, Peter and Onah, Elijah Iranyohe
Volume 4 Issue 1
Abstract
Corruption is a fundamental constraint to Nigeria’s development. It is responsible for the alarming rates of poverty, unemployment, and other socioeconomic challenges that confront the country. The study therefore examined corruption vis-à-vis the social, political, economic and all-round development of Nigeria. It reviewed the various categories of corruption which cut across and indeed affect individuals as well as the public and private sectors in the country. Different theories such as the modernization theory, Marxist theory, game theory, agency cost theory and the social learning theory were applied in the study to offer adequate explanations to the causes and effects of corruption in Nigeria. The study revealed common causes of corruption in the country to include greed, inadequate punishment against corruption, high standard of living, and the unequal distribution of the country’s resources. The review showed that corruption stifles Nigeria’s industrial and infrastructural development, undermine democratic tenets, promotes social and political exclusion and conflicts, and foster poverty and unemployment in the country. The study recommends for the elimination of corruption, which include strengthening of anti-graft agencies to work independently without political interference, implementation of initiatives that realistically address poverty, and conduct of proper enlightenment campaigns to educate citizens on the dangers of corruption on Nigeria’s development. Key Words: Corruption, Development, Nigeria
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