Pervasive Corruption in Nigeria: A Holistic Approach

Abstract

“Our strange romance with corruption began with the enthronement of a kleptomaniac leadership at the exits of the military from our polity. The biggest mistake of the electorates is the sale of its franchise to greedy ruling elites who captured power and cornered our resources to the extent that it is now adept at the tricks of self-perpetuation---We now have corruption sharing the spotlight with terrorism as our biggest and most common problem. They are like Siamese twins who have an embryonic relationshipâ€. Going by international rating as regard corrupt practices, Nigeria has consistently been rated as either the most corrupt or one of the most corrupt countries in the world.   

The foregoing submissions gives an insight as to the root cause of this endemic problem called “corruption†in Nigeria, the extent of  its germination, survival and development  in our society such that it has totally permeated all aspects of our national life and has therefore eaten deep into our national fabric from socio- economic, political, academic, industrial, religious, diplomatic and even commercial fabric and in addition its attendant consequences on the generality of the Nigerians masses. It is therefore in view of the increasing and alarming rate of this menace that informed the idea to write on this topical issue of corruption more importantly when anti-corruption crusade constitutes the major political agenda of President Mohammadu Buhari led Federal Government of Nigeria as manifested in his on-going fight against the malaise. To this end, this paper therefore sets out to examine the varying avalanches of corrupt practices by political and public office holders in Nigeria coupled with its attendant negative consequences with a view to proffer workable and viable remedies to this clog in wheel of the Nigeria progress. Emphasis will be placed on the on-going crusade, activities /actions of the Buhari led Federal Government of Nigeria in the fight against the menace.

Keywords: Corruption, Pervasive Corruption, Corrupt Practices, Democracy and Nigeria.