Discussions on the level of corruption in Nigeria have become more widespread among the general people as numerous sectors of the country continue to degrade and the economy worsens. Majority posit that the deteriorating sectors were impacted by the growing corruption. A group of anti-corruption Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the umbrella of Transparency International (TI) has also faulted the prevalence of corruption and the complicity of public officials for the country’s intensifying insecurity and the smuggling of weapons.
The CSOs group asserts, based on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2022 (CPI), that despite claims by the federal government to combat corruption, corruption is still prevalent in the country, leading to increased insecurity due to inconsistencies at the borders, among other things. Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), stated that while the executive arm of the incumbent government has demonstrated a strong commitment to combating corruption, some government arms are not on the same page.
Corruption has sabotaged several government initiatives.
Musa-Rafsanjani stated that the Nigerian border has long been impacted due to the interdependence of corruption and insecurity, which has allowed for the smuggling of weapons. He goes on to say that the effect of the corruption has sabotaged several government initiatives. Such a situation has been observed in the security sector, where arms are smuggled into the country without being intercepted by the appropriate security agents.
Moreover, he argues that the executive branch, including ministers, director generals, and other high government officials, does not keep the same vigor in combating corruption. This has fueled CSOs’ yearning to see a national plan formed to combat the looming corruption in all areas across the country. Musa-Rafsanjani, who also deplores the rising level of corruption despite government efforts, pointed out that conversations on the topic have mostly remained at the federal level, which is not rare.
Anti-corruption agencies to strengthen their efforts.
According to the CISLAC Executive Director, all branches of government, from the federal to state to local, need to be on the same page in order to effectively battle corruption. Senior Legal Officer of CISLAC Samuel Asimi, who also delivered the TI corruption index, noted that although Nigeria’s CPI country ranking improved from 154 in 2021 to 150 out of 180 nations in 2022, the country maintained the same 24 points out of a possible 100.
This indicates that Nigeria’s corruption rate has remained stagnant at the same level. Friday Odeh, Country Director of Accountability Lab, urges anti-corruption agencies to strengthen their efforts, noting that the government’s anti-corruption efforts have been sabotaged by the release of former Taraba state governor Jolly Nyame and former Plateau state governor Joshua Dariye. The governors had previously been released from Kuje Prison after being convicted of theft of N1.16 billion and N1.6 billion, respectively.
Gov’t move will undermine anti-corruption agencies motivation.
The release of the former governors, according to Odeh, is a stumbling block to the president Buhari-led administration’s anti-corruption efforts. Odeh continued by claiming that the government decision was a setback in the pursuit of legal equity and fairness. He opines that this will erode citizens’ trust in the government. With those liberated recognized as public officials, poor persons prosecuted for the same or smaller offences would undoubtedly feel angry. Also, the move will undermine the motivation levels of anti-corruption authorities and cast a negative light on the country in the world community, Odeh added.
Related Link
TI: Website
CSOs urge national plan against corruption – Group acclaim corruption is prevalent despite government efforts. – Express your point of view.
The high rate of corruption is evident everywhere. Even so many Government officials are also involve in the corruption. I hope the CSOs nation plan against corruption will work out.
The CSOs claim of government fighting corruption is baseless because the very government are indirectly encouraging it. If the federal government can execute judgement like the Chinese government all these embezzlement of public funds by government officials would have stopped. The corrupt activities of government officials have spread to both public and private sectors of the country. If government wants to fight corruption it should begin from the top.
Corruption is one of our major set back in this country that don’t make us to progress selfishness is killing us in this country we need to curb corruption
Corruption among public officials has permeated all levels of government and the commercial sector.
As the country’s economy and other infrastructure continue to deteriorate, people in Nigeria are talking more openly about the country’s high corruption rate.
To address the corruptions in Nigeria we need to look at every nook to the deep root of every arms. But am not sure we are ready to do this in Nigeria.
This action will lower the motivation levels of anti-corruption authorities and put the country in a poor light in the eyes of the international community.
Despite the assertions of the federal government that it is working to fight corruption, it is nevertheless widespread throughout the country.
Some branches of the government are not on the same page as the executive branch of the current government, despite the fact that the executive branch has shown a strong commitment to fighting corruption.
Corruption is rampant in all sectors of society. However, many members of the government are complicit in the corruption as well. I have faith that the anti-corruption strategy formulated by CSOs around the country will be successful.
If we’re serious about fixing Nigeria’s corruption problem, we have to search for its origins in the deepest reaches of society. However, I’m not confident that Nigerians are ready for this just yet.
Since a long time ago, the Nigerian border has been negatively damaged as a result of the interdependence of corruption and insecurity, which has enabled the smuggling of weapons.
It is quite unfortunate that the corruption has led to the failure of multiple government programs because of its effects.
As a result of individuals who were freed being regarded as public authorities, poor people who are punished for the same or lesser offenses will definitely feel upset.
CSOs urge national plan against corruption. Corruption has eaten Nigeria deep. We need good government to do the needful
Everywhere you look, corruption is rampant. Even so many government employees participate in corruption. I’m hoping the CSO’s national effort to combat corruption is successful.
Nigerians on the whole are corrupt. All facets of society are rife with corruption. However, a large portion of the government is also involved in the corruption. I believe the anti-corruption plan developed by CSOs around the nation will be effective.
We should be ready to do our best to eradicate corruption away from our country. The government is really doing well to tackle the situation.
The effect of corruption and insecurity has sabotaged several government initiatives resulting to stagnant rate of corruption. The government must out in more effort to combat the looming corruption in all areas across the country.