Public Service Ethics and the Fight against Corruption in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This paper critically analyses contemporary administrative and philosophical issues – public service ethics and the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Ethics are continuous efforts of striving to ensure that people and institutions they shape, live up to the standards that are reasonable and solidly based (Amundsen, 2009:6). The paper argues that ethics and anti-corruption campaign have become an integral part of the Nigerian public service and governance but with little relevance, and large scale evidences of failure. In other words, the effectiveness of ethical codes of conduct among civil servants, politicians and the noise about anti-corruption campaign remain doubtful in the face of the rising spade of ineptitude to work, embezzlement of public funds, bazaar mentality, insecurity of lives and property, bribe-taking, and the likes. Inability to arrest these vices in Nigeria has circumvented sustainable development in the country. It is therefore recommended that government and leaders at federal, state and local government levels should enthrone ethical codes through living by example and the various anti- corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) through capacity building and the employment of men of integrity to work in them.