Addressing Transparency International corruption ranking!

The recent Corruption Perception Index, 2020 report, published by Berlin-based Transparency International, ranked Nigeria, at 149th position, out of 180 countries surveyed in the corruption chart. By that, Nigeria slipped, dropping from 144 in 2018, to 146 in 2019 on the annual Corruption Perception Index. As it stands, Nigeria is the second most corrupt country in West Africa, while Guinea Bissau is leading the pack. This, despite the AU naming Nigeria’s leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Anti-Corruption Champion, in 2018.

The report did not come to many as a shock, or surprise, rather, it further re-echoed what commentators had spoken of tirelessly, especially on the level of malfeasance and unbridled corruption by those in government and, in corridors of power and authority in the country.

Part of the electoral success recorded by the APC at the 2015 polls, was, largely due in part, to the ineptness, and widespread corruption in the country, under PDP’s watch. Public monies were recklessly shared as bounties to party and Governments officials, as well as those with vested interest, or some select stakeholders. It was a free for all looting spree, as evidenced by the infamous #dasukigate.

After coming to power with the zeal, vigour and an unblemish record of disdain for corruption, Pres Buhari, and his party, the APC had vigorously campaigned and promise to end the scourge. Many Nigerians, had reason to heave a sigh of relief, hoping for a new, and real change.

The APC led Government, so far, is known for its notoriety for contempt for criticism. Nigeria, especially activists, oftentimes had a brush with the law, and security operatives in the land, on matters of criticism of government policy, or action. The APC led Government lives in perpetual self-delusion. Despite evidence of widespread and endemic corruption, the APC continue on the trajectory of blame game — blaming past Governments, opposition, or an imaginary enemies of state, set to destabilize the country.

Criticism is a veritable recipe in a democracy — it guides and shape Government policy and programs. It is what distinguishes Military and autocratic regime. Without criticism, Government cannot make any meaningful stride in driving home development in all sectors.

Transparency International’s report only exposed what Government had been trying so hard to conceal. Nigeria’s Government spokespersons have a penchant for twisting narratives to suit their ego, and their employers, against popular opinion.

As it were, no Government agency, or sectors are corrupt-free. Shocking revelations, and complicity of erstwhile Boss of the anti-graft body, the EFCC, proved the entire effort of anti corruption crusade in the country is shambolic. It only targeted political foes, and, considered as attack dogs of executives.

Sadly, even the supervisory Ministry, the Justice Ministry had its hand deep in corrupt practices, with the Minister, Abubakar Malami, fingered in many fraudulent and sharp practices, an allegation he denies. According to another anti-graft agency, the ICPC, Judiciary is the most corrupt sector of government, stating further, that, about N9 billion was offered as bribes by lawyers, usually to shop, for, or influence judgement, or court rulings. If a country’s Judicial arm is enmeshed in a mesy malfeasance, chances are, any anti graft effort, is an exercise in futility.

The legislative arm of government is not left out in the circle of corruption. At budget defense sessions by MDAs, most heads bribe their way into getting their budget passed. Allegations of Budget Padding are rife, as, there are concrete evidence of lawmakers fraudulently inflating budgets for selfish needs. Till date, lawmakers refused to make public their salaries and emoluments, probably fearing a public backlash. But, it was reported, Nigeria’s legislatures rank among the highest paid in the world. The speculated salaries of a Senator is put at N30 million, monthly, while a Federal House of Representatives take home pay is N15 million, monthly, excluding allowances and Constituency projects funds.

The Executive arm, is unarguably, where the big dogs feasts. Heads of MDAs, engaged in all kinds of corrupt practices, from contract inflating, to shady deals in supply and service delivery. Here, the stakes are high, people bribe their way into getting appointed to different positions of authority as heads in different government agencies. Those already in service had to pay huge amounts to get promoted, regardless whether or not they are due, or competent. A major implication of this reflects on the country’s progress. The Armed forces, and other paramilitary, are particularly known to condone such. The impunity has reached a new level, and is common place, with perpetrators getting away.

Nigerians, especially the unemployed youths, had come to term with a new normal — Jobs for sale! Jobs are no longer, exclusively available for the most competent. Monetary value and mediocrity had obviously replaced merit.

It is an open secret, getting employed in particularly federal Government agencies requires huge cash. Getting employed at juicy agencies like, CBN, NNPC, FIRS, NDIC, NCC, NERC, and Customs, requires either, the recommendation of a top Government official, political figure, or Oga at the top, or real cash. Paying N3-5 Million is the “Minimum Bribery” requirement to get the aforementioned Jobs. While other non Juicy agencies like, NOA, NCAC , NSCDC etc requires both the connection and cash, running into a token of about 500K-1 Million. These are known facts, only an incredulously demented spin doctor would change the narrative. These are painful, yet sad reality of Nigeria’s sorry state.


Other areas, where corruption thrive are agencies responsible for disbursement of government-funded interventions, or loans. The Corona virus Pandemic, which disrupted livelihood and businesses spurred Government to intervene. These, interventions however, ended in the purse of corrupt politicians, and disbursements are on the basis of political patronage.


State Government, are also caught up in the web of this vicious circle of corrupt practices. Many will agree, the most brutal and inhuman form of corruption are perpetrated at the state and local government level. The local government remains the only tier closest to the people, and, sadly, the most neglected. State Governors appoints Local Government Executives, which, usually act as a conduit pipes in siphoning resources. In a particular State, it was alleged, a sitting Governor usually invites Local Government Chairmen to Abuja, and their salaries paid via table payments, while keeping bulk of the monies.


This ugly trend is made possible, by lack of, or absence of fiscal responsibility and zero political will by the Federal Government. If they are serious about ending Corruption, the first focus should be, the state and local government level. State Governors are usually seen as lords in their respective states, and oftentimes wield enormous power and influence, even at the Federal level. One would expect federal government come hard on State Governors that horded food and non food items, as palliatives meant for the most vulnerable at the height of extreme sufferings brought about by the lockdowns, during the first wave of the pandemic, last year.

The reckless corruption in the public sector, emboldened the private sector. While there might be some measures in stemming the tide in public sector, the private sector kind of corruption is muted, or shrouded in topmost secrecy.

The most daring and recurrent factor which stagnated Nigeria’s growth and development is corruption, if the country is desirous of progress, the monster must be tamed. Notably, the most noble means to eradicate corrupt practices is to have the political will, and, strengthen the institutions, and organs of government, and making truly Independent, anti-graft body.


Also, subjects dealing exclusively with corruption must be taught in schools. Students should be taught the inherent dangers of having a corrupt institute and leaders. Because, as a nation, we celebrate and reward corruption, anytime our kith and kin was appointed to any office, we celebrate and rejoice, as we have found the newest meal ticket.


As citizens, we must identify and come to terms with the stark reality of corruption, being our most potent enemy which must be defeated. Once we can establish such, then Government would be put under immense pressure to do same, and, take center stage in the fight against corruption. As Prof Wole Soyinka put it succinctly, that Government had lost steam in anti graft war.

Rather than attacking Transparency International for the report, Government should eat the humble pie, find the missing or weak link in her quest to end the scourge. Criticism, are a wake-up call, the report is not in any way meant to malign or embarrass Government as claimed by their spokesmen, but, rather to spur her into taking more cognitive and decisive approach to end corruption.

APC led Government must stop the blame game and take full responsibility. The PDP had been out of power for about six years, calling her out frequently is grossly uncalled for. If the PDP had done great damage, it was the reason Nigerians oust them and brought in the APC to correct the perceived wrong. We cannot remove a corrupt Government, and replace it with a far more corrupt one, such is counterproductive.

Nigeria has a lot of existential threats, but, the most daring that seeks to consume her remains the endemic corruption in the system. Purging itself of the scourge is one such way of attaining development.
The Transparency International report, again proved a lot need to be done, therefore, it is wise to deal with the message, not the messenger.

Mohammed is with the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University-Zaria.
He writes from Kano via
[email protected]

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