"Corruptionomics" in Nigeria

 

Corruption has been a major issue in Nigeria for decades. Despite numerous attempts to combat it, the problem remains endemic in the country. From embezzlement of public funds to bribery, corruption has had a devastating impact on Nigeria's economy and society. In this article, we explore the roots of corruption in Nigeria and its effects. Then we examine the difficulties in curbing it.

A Brief History Lesson

The history of corruption in Nigeria dates back to the colonial era. During this time, the British used a system of indirect rule to govern Nigeria, which involved working with local rulers to maintain order. However, this system allowed for a significant amount of corruption, as the local rulers were often given too much power and were not held accountable for their actions.

In memory of the Master

After Nigeria gained its independence in 1960, corruption became even more widespread. The country's first leaders were more focused on consolidating their power and enriching themselves than on developing the nation. They used their positions to amass wealth and to distribute resources to their supporters.

The situation worsened during the oil boom of the 1970s and into the 1980s, as Nigeria became one of the world's largest oil producers. The government used the oil revenue to finance large infrastructure projects and to provide social services to the people. However, this also led to widespread corruption, as politicians and government officials siphoned off the oil revenue for their personal gain.

Today, corruption remains a significant issue in Nigeria. The country ranks 149th out of 180 countries on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, indicating a high level of corruption. Corruption has led to a lack of accountability in the government, which has resulted in poor service delivery and a lack of investment in infrastructure.

Why corruption thrives

"Help me to help you"

There are many factors that contribute to the prevalence of corruption in Nigeria. One of the main reasons is the lack of strong institutions and regulations. The country has weak systems of governance, which make it easy for corrupt officials to exploit the loopholes in the system. The absence of an effective legal system means that those who engage in corrupt practices are not held accountable for their actions. This lack of accountability further perpetuates corruption, as those in power are emboldened by the knowledge that they can act with impunity. Corruption has become so entrenched in Nigerian society that it is almost considered a norm.

Another factor that contributes to the endemic nature of corruption in Nigeria is poverty. The country is home to a large population of poor people, many of whom live in extreme poverty. Corruption thrives in such environments because the poor are often desperate for basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare. Corrupt officials take advantage of this desperation by demanding bribes or embezzling funds that are meant to benefit the poor. In this way, corruption exacerbates poverty, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.

The fear of poverty is the beginning of corruption

Furthermore, Nigeria's ethnic and religious diversity has also contributed to the endemic nature of corruption in the country. The complex web of ethnic and religious affiliations means that people often feel a greater loyalty to their community than to the country as a whole. This has made it difficult for the government to create a sense of national unity and purpose, which is essential for fighting corruption. In some cases, ethnic and religious loyalty has been used as an excuse for corruption, with officials using their positions to benefit their own communities at the expense of the wider population.

"Will" power

To top it all off, there is a lack of political will to tackle corruption in Nigeria. While many politicians pay lip service to the need to tackle corruption, few have taken concrete steps to do so. This is partly due to the fact that many of them are themselves corrupt and have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

The Effects of Corruption on the Economy

One of the ways in which corruption has affected the Nigerian economy is through the misallocation of resources. When resources are allocated based on corrupt practices rather than merit, it means that resources are not being used efficiently. This leads to a decrease in productivity and economic growth. It is common knowledge in Nigeria that emergency services practitioners are largely underfunded and lack the tools to carry out their duties effectively. The policeman has to buy his own bullets and fuel the patrol car. The fireman often does not have water in the firetruck or safety gear to effectively tackle the fire. The solider is expected to pay for his Kevlar (bullet proof armor), because it was intentionally removed from the standard kit that was provided. These people are often poorly remunerated, yet are expected to constantly risk their lives for a society that will not even take care of their families when they perish. The sickening treatment of widowed spouses of rank and file servicemen is absolutely sickening but story for another article.

"Miss"allocation

Another way in which corruption has affected the Nigerian economy is through the distortion of competition. When businesses engage in corrupt practices, they gain an unfair advantage over their competitors. This means that businesses that are not engaging in corruption are at a disadvantage, and this can lead to market inefficiencies and decreased economic growth. This may seem trivial on a small scale but the multiplier effects are astronomical and can lead to huge loss of lives. The drug manufacturer that bribes to get their substandard drugs approved, which leads to numerous deaths. The real estate developer that gets a waiver on certain safety practices and subpar building materials, which leads to buildings collapsing. The list is endless!

Corruption also affects foreign investment in Nigeria. When foreign investors see that corruption is rampant in a country, they are less likely to invest in that country. This means that Nigeria is missing out on potential foreign investment, which could be used to boost economic growth and development.

The cost of corruption in Nigeria is not just economic. Corruption also affects the social fabric of society. When people see that corruption is widespread, it can lead to a breakdown in trust in institutions and in each other. This can lead to a decrease in social cohesion and an increase in social unrest.

The Corruption Addiction

In reality, corruption is a way of life in Nigeria and despite a lot of condemnation of it, those that benefit from it do not want it to stop.

Corruption is the recreational drug that unites the populace. It comes in many forms but however it is consumed, it has become a way of life. Some are addicted to it, some use it sparingly when it is convenient. Some are victims of it, whilst others are the dealers of it. What is evident is that it is woven into the fabric of society and even those that condemn it directly or indirectly are beneficiaries of it.

Corruption feeds our over-inflated egos and provides a feeling of power and importance. The dopamine high from cheating the system and our penchant for instant gratification provides a perfect environment for it to thrive. We do not have to worry about the consequences as we bask in euphoria until our next hit. Ultimately, we do not care what happens to our country because we plan to "japa" anyway!

Tackling corruption in Nigeria cannot be approached with punitive measures alone because like the proverbial class A drug addict that is locked up in rehab, the post-rehab relapse is often more devastating. The work must be done at the core, dealing with the underlying causes and motivations. There are essentially two motivators... Greed and fear. Majority of the efforts in tackling corruption in Nigeria have focused on the former but the latter has more far-reaching effects. The fear of poverty and the scarcity mentality it incubates makes it very difficult to shake off the addiction to corruption. Like any addict, it takes will power, purpose and community support to begin the journey to recovery.

Thanks for taking time out to read this article. Please feel free to send me a message or comment on the article. I am always happy to discuss other perspectives and explore different philosophies.