Analyzing Corruption and Developmental Conundrum in Nigeria

Abstract

The ultimate goal of every nation state is to create a stable and secure environment for progress and development. This is made possible through good governance that is free of corrupt tendencies. Corruption destroys institutions of government thereby under-developing the nation. Some of the indicators of the institutionalized corruption are unemployment, social unrest, injustice and depreciating national value, prestige as well as collapse of basic infrastructure such as power, transportation and education. These concerns translate into conflicts and criminality that undermine the country’s national development. Accordingly, in the Nigerian context, the Federal Government has been responding to the ravaging corruption in the country through anti-corruption initiatives and institution building. This notwithstanding, corruption has continued to hinder development in Nigeria. This paper, therefore, seeks to interrogate the underlining factors hindering the development of the country. It focuses on corruption as it affects Nigeria’s development. Utilizing development as a concept as well as theory, it aims at examining the interplay of factors that promotes corruption and underdevelopment thereby fanning the embers of conflict. Using both primary and secondary data, the paper finds out that constitutional deficiencies, weak institutions and deteriorating economic conditions are factors that promote conditions for corruption to thrive and a major setback in the effort towards curbing corruption in the country. The paper recommends among other things, that there should be a commitment to the Pursuit of Economic Self-reliance, Investment in Anti-Corruption Infrastructure and Technological Development and Political Will to Enforce Existing Legislations on Corruption.