The Imperative of Institutional Approach to Combating Corruption in Nigeria

Abstract

Arguably, corruption has been identified as one of the major stumbling blocks to Nigerian quest to sustainable democracy that guarantees mass participation and people-oriented leadership. Today, institutions and public office holders that are supposed to serve the Nigerian people are enmeshed in corruption. This ultimately poses grievous threat to economic growth and development of Nigeria. The recent monumental corruption cases and recovery of huge amount of money from public officers are pointers to the fact that the institutions charged with the fight against corruption and good governance find it difficult to rise above their individual or groups’ gains. They are unable to discharge their functions effectively leading to pervasiveness of corruption in the country. It is against this backdrop that this study evaluated the factors responsible for the successes and failures of the major anti-graft agencies as well as the general impact of these on the polity. The study adopted content analysis of documentary data sourced on the subject. The findings of the study revealed that although there have been media awareness on anti-graft war in the country, little or no impact has been made except for some recovery of public funds looted by some public officers. The paper, therefore, concluded that although in this part of the world, strong institutions need a strong personality to make them work; anti-corruption agencies should be developed in such a way that they will be able to use the powers provided for them by the enabling laws and effectively fight corruption, irrespective of who heads the presidency.