CORRUPTION IN
NIGERIA, A
THREAT TO SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ABSTRACT
The research provides a conceptual and theoretical
appraisal of corruption in Nigeria as a threat to sustainable economic
development. It elucidate the nature and effect of corruption and determine
measures to mitigate and eliminate the trend in Nigeria.
INTRODUCTION
Amuwo
(2005) and Obayelu (2007) consider corruption as the exploitation of public
position, resources and power for private gain. Fjeldstad&Isaksen (2008, p.
3) and Ogundiya (2009, p. 5) define corruption as “the betrayal of public trust
for individual or sectional gain.” Obayelu went further to identify corruption
as “efforts to secure wealth or power through illegal means for private gain at
public expense; or a misuse of power for private benefit.” Corruption covers a
broad spectrum of activities ranging from fraud (theft through
misrepresentation), embezzlement (misappropriation of corporate or public
funds) to bribery (payments made in order to gain an advantage or to avoid a
disadvantage). From a political point of view, Aiyede (2006, p. 5) views corruption
as “the abuse or misuse of public or governmental power for illegitimate
private advantages.” His view corroborates the position of Lipset and Lenz
(2000) that corruption is an effort to secure wealth or power through illegal
means for private benefit at public expense. Tanzi (1998) adds that such abuse
of public power may not necessarily be for one’s private benefit but for the
benefit of one’s party, class, tribe, or family. Although corruption is global
in scope, it is more pronounced in developing societies because of their weak
institutions. It is minimal in developed nations because of existing
institutional control mechanisms which are more developed and effective.
CHAPTER
I
1.1
BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
The effects of corruption on a nation’s
economy are damaging. A nation inundated with corruption cannot be viable
economically; neither can the system generate enough support/ affection
required for the survival of democratic system. This is a situation in Nigeria
where corruption has become part and parcel of the political culture.
Corruption has indeed robbed Nigerians the benefit of economic development
because scarce available resources that should have been deployed to execute
development project have gone into private foreign accounts.
Corruption
is widespread in Nigeria, not because the people are different from other parts
of the world, but because the conditions are ripe for it. There are many
reasons why this is so. The motivation to earn income from among the populace
is relatively stronger; exacerbated by poverty, unemployment and low wages. In
many developing countries Nigeria inclusive, accountability is generally weak.
Political competition and civil liberties are often restricted. Laws and
principles of ethics in governance are poorly developed and the legal
institutions charged with enforcing them are ill-prepared
The
research seeks to investigate corruption in Nigeria as a threat to sustainable Economic
development
1.2
STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM
The problem
confronting this research is to appraise corruption in
Nigeria as a threat to sustainable economic development
1.3
RESEARCH
QUESTION
1 What is the nature of corruption in Nigeria?
2 What are the causes of corruption in Nigeria?
3 What
is the effect of corruption on sustainable economic development in Nigeria?
1.4
OBJECTIVE
OF THE STUDY
1
To appraise the
nature of corruption in Nigeria
2
To determine the causes and effect of corruption on sustainable economic development in Nigeria
1.5
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
The study shall project
the ill effect of corruption on the economic development of Nigeria.
It shall also serve a
veritable source of information on issues of corruption
1.6
STATEMENT
OF HYPOTHESIS
1
H0
Sustainable economic development in
Nigeria is high
H1 Sustainable
economic development in Nigeria is low
2 H0 Corruption
in Nigeria is low
H1 Corruption in Nigeria is high
3 H0 The effect of corruption on sustainable
economic development in Nigeria is low
H1 The
effect of corruption on sustainable economic development in Nigeria is high
1.7
SCOPE
OF THE STUDY
The study appraises
corruption in Nigeria and elucidates its effect on sustainable economic
development
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
CORRUPTION
Amuwo (2005) and Obayelu (2007) consider
corruption as the exploitation of public position, resources and power for
private gain. Fjeldstad&Isaksen (2008, p. 3) and Ogundiya (2009, p. 5)
define corruption as “the betrayal of public trust for individual or sectional
gain.” Obayelu went further to identify corruption as “efforts to secure wealth
or power through illegal means for private gain at public expense; or a misuse
of power for private benefit.” Corruption covers a broad spectrum of activities
ranging from fraud (theft through misrepresentation), embezzlement
(misappropriation of corporate or public funds) to bribery (payments made in
order to gain an advantage or to avoid a disadvantage). From a political point
of view, Aiyede (2006, p. 5) views corruption as “the abuse or misuse of public
or governmental power for illegitimate private advantages
ECONOMIC DEVEDLOPEMENT DEFINED
According
to Imhonopi & Urim (2010), national development is the ability of a country
or countries to improve the social welfare of the people, namely, by providing
social amenities like good education, power, housing, pipe-borne water and
others. The components of national development include economic development,
socio-cultural empowerment and development and how these impact on human
development. Without human development, which is the development of the human
capital of a nation or its citizens, national development can be thwarted or
defeated. In fact, human development is one basis for judging the effectiveness
of the economic development component of national development (Ogboru, 2007;
Ranis, Stewart, & Ramirez, 2000). As they observed, economic development
expressed in GNP can increase human development by expenditure from families,
government and organizations such as NGOs. With the increase in economic
growth, families and individuals will likely increase expenditures with the
increase in income. This increase can lead to greater human development.
Streeten (1982) put it better when he said that development must be redefined as
an attack on the chief evils of the world today such as malnutrition,
disease,illiteracy, slums, unemployment and inequality. In other words,
development must be measured in terms of jobs created, justice dispensed and
poverty alleviated.