Corruption And Economic Growth In Nigeria
Corruption And Economic Growth In Nigeria
Abstract
This study examined corruption and the Nigerian economic growth. In doing this, the study looked at historical overview of corruption in Nigeria and conceptual issues were also discussed. It also reviewed the causes and effects of corruption, without leaving out the dynamics of corruption. Also, the study looked at the relationship between corruption and the Nigerian economic growth. However, the study introduces a new perspective on the role of corruption in economic growth and provides quantitative estimates of the impact of corruption on the economic growth in Nigeria as well as their causal relationship
Chapter One
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Public debates recently in Nigeria have centred on the increasing rate of corruption resulting from inappropriate public finance planning and implementation mostly in some of the developing countries, Nigeria inclusive which in turn reduce the level of economic growth in the country.
Corruption made itself visible when the institution of the government was founded due the behaviour of people appoint or elect to manage the government institutions (Anyanwu, 2002; Idomeh, 2006).
Corruption has recently become a major issue in foreign aid and Nigeria nation as a whole. Corruption is an ancient practice that has been traced back to pre-biblical time and made itself known in the ancient civilizations of developed and developing countries. Political and social corruption is not a recent phenomenon that pervades the Nigerian state.
Corruption is a social problem that has interested many scholars. Ruzindana (1999) sees corruption in Africa as a problem of routine deviation from affordable standards and norms by public officials and parties with whom they interact.
The major concern for inter-nation aid policy during the last five decades has been to improve the living condition for the poor in the poorest countries of the world. But governments in poor countries are also the most corrupt country due to high level of poverty. Treisman (2000) and Paldam (1999) cited in Jens and Odd-Helge (2001) states that the level of GDP per capital holds most of the explanatory power of the various corruption indicators.
Corruption is a disease, which eats into the cultural, political and economic growth of any country and as well destroys the functioning of various organs of the government. Transparently international (2005) opine that “corruption is one of the greatest challenges of the contemporary world which undermines good government, fundamentally distorts public policy, leads to the misallocation of resources harms the private sector development and as well hurts the poor”.
The need to study corruption and economic growth in Nigeria has continued to generate passionate commentaries and academic interest due to the level of corruption in the country and its effect on economic growth. In Nigeria corruption is one of the reasons for many unresolved problems that have critically hobbled and reduce development (Ayobolu, 2006). It also remains a long-term major political and economic growth challenge for Nigeria (Sachs, 2007). International centre for economic growth (1999) states that corruption is a canker worm that has eaten deep in the fabric of the nation which ranges from petty corruption to political or systematic corruption. Abiodem (2007) in World Bank studies put corruption at over $1 trillion per year accounting for up to 15% of the Gross Domestic Product of nation like Nigeria.
Corruption is a canker worm that has reduced development in all sectors of the economy (EFCC, 2005). Corruption has been the primary reason behind the country difficulties in developing fast (ICPC, 2006). Ribadu, (2003) states that this is the reason why transparency international has consisted rating of Nigeria as one of the top three most corrupt countries in the world.
In Nigeria, the level of corruption, poor state of our electricity, transport sector, health sector, education sector and communications is the major problem of economic growth and it is a major handicap for doing business in the country. As part of fighting corruption and strengthening the economy, Nigeria government has over the years embark on series of economic growth reform through privatization, banking sector reform, anti-corruption campaigns and establishment of transparent fiscal standards such as ICPC, EFCC etc. The major aim of economic reform in Nigeria is to provide a conducive environment for private investors and FDI to flow (African economic outlook 2011).
Contrary to the prevailing practice among most social scientists and other students of society (like lawyers, historians and philosophers) who claim or make a pretense at objective, values-free analysis and explanation of any social phenomenon. I openly acknowledge that all attempts to explain social reality, or any aspect of it are necessarily informed by philosophical and moral presuppositions, explicitly or implicitly made by scholars concerned.
Consequently, a historical perspective of corruption in Nigeria begins with seeing corruption as a form of anti-social behavior by an individual or social group which confers unjust or fraudulent benefits in its perpetrators, is inconsistent with the established legal norms and prevailing moral ethos of the land and is likely to subvert or diminish the capacity of the legitimate authorities to provide fully for the material and spiritual wellbeing of all members of society in a just and equitable manner. It is important to note the following;
- Corruption was not invented by, nor is it peculiar to Nigerians. On the contrary, it is a global phenomenon with deep historical roots, although it manifests itself with significant similarities and differences in different societies, depending on the particular system of power c distribution and the legal and moral norms operating therein.
- Corruption, like all social phenomenon, is intelligible only in its total social context: its peculiar form, dynamics and degree of social and cultural acceptability or tolerance being critically related to the dominant mode of poverty distribution power configuration; and the underpinning moral and ethical values of operation in a given society.
- Corruption in Nigeria is a kind of social virus which is a hybrid of traits and those derived from and nurtured in the indigenous Nigerian context.
1.2 Statement of Problem
The causes of corruption are myriad; and they have political and cultural variables. According to Lipset and Lenz, there is a strong evidence points to a link between corruption and social diversity, ethno-linguistic fractionalization, and the proportions of country’s population adhering to different religious traditions. And studies note also that corruption is widespread in most non-democratic countries, and particularly, in countries that have been branded neo-patrimonial, kleptocratic and prebendal (NORAD 2000).
Thus, the political system and the culture of a society could make the citizens more prone to corrupt activities. However, the statement of this research problem is focus on the fact that corruption has degraded our nation and yet its not adequately considered or looked into as a serious fact to poor economic growth of the nation Nigeria, therefore the researcher seeks to address this issue and highlight the effects of corruption in Nigeria and call for adequate attention to its clarion call.
1.3 Objectives of Study
This research work will evaluate corruption, its conceptual effects to the economic growth of Nigeria. Other forms of objectives are.
- To review Nigerian corruption and its effect to the economy.
- To alternate an option to how corruption can be adequately tackle and handle in our country Nigeria.
- To call Nigerians to stand out, and shown corruption.
1.4 Research Hypothesis
For the purpose of this research work, two relevant research hypothesis will be stated and tested for the cause of this study.
- Hnull There is no significance relationship between corruptions to economic growth of Nigeria.
Halt There is a significance relationship between corruptions to economic growth of Nigeria. - Hnull Corruption cannot be resolved in Nigeria as a result of the level attain to.
Halt Corruption can be resolved in Nigeria even though the level it has attain to
1.6 Significance of the Study
The significance of this work lies on the fact that with less corruption, the Nigerian economic growth stands to gain in its efforts towards development. This study attempts to answer the question; what is the correlation between corruption and economic growth, the cause of corruption and how the present state of corruption will be lessen.
This will form the basis upon which suggestions will be made as to how corruption can be eradicated.
This work stands to benefit:
- Nigeria as a whole. The research intends to bring forth ways to lessen corruption for the purposes of increasing economic growth.
- The research will be beneficial to schools (teachers and students) and will help them understand the consequence of corruption to our nation.
1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study focuses on Nigeria and on the impact of agricultural development on the economic growth of Nigeria.
The originality and reliability of any study or research work is based on the quantity and quality of available data. Though it is the duty and intention of any researcher to bring out and show everything the study is to have, but there are constraints which include, time, finance, difficulty in getting data, etc.
1.8 Research Methodology
This research work will employs simple econometric models like Augmented Dicker-Fuller test, granger casualty test and co-integration test to investigate the impact of corruption on economic growth in Nigeria. Therefore, secondary method of data collection is used.
1.9 Definition of Key Terms
Corruption may be conceptualized as the perversion or change from good to bad, right or wrong. It may be defined generally as the misuse or abuse of position, power or procedures for personal or group interest, need and wants. “It involves the violation or established rules, practices and procedures” personal and/or group interests.
The word “corruption” has varied meanings depending on the political culture and civilization of the people. It is effort to secure wealth and power through illegal means for private gain at public expense. Corruption has coexisted with human society for a long time and remains one of the problems in many or the ‘worlds developing economics with devastating consequences. It involves the violation or established rules for personal gains and profits. It includes such behavior as bribery, nepotism and misappropriation of funds (sceSen 1999, Nyc 1967, lipset and Lenz 2000).
Granger causality test is a statistical hypothesis test for determining whether one time series is useful in forecasting another, first proposed in 1969.[1] Ordinarily, regressions reflect “mere” correlations, but Clive Granger argued that causality in economics could be tested for by measuring the ability to predict the future values of a time series using prior values of another time series.
1.10 Organization of the Study
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (background of the study), statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope of the study etc. Chapter two being the review of the related literature presents the theoretical framework, conceptual framework and other areas concerning the subject matter. Chapter three is a research methodology covers deals on the research design and methods adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study wasto ascertain the effect of corruption and economic growth in Nigeria.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the effect of corruption and economic growth
5.2 Summary
This study has established the fact that corruption has seriously affected the polity of Nigeria and it is seriously affecting the potential growth ability of the country to the extent that over $100Billion in GDP is lost. This study has perused various literatures and all the literatures pointed to the fact that corruption abound in governance, public and private business and corporate environment in Nigeria. Despite the presence of abundant resources in the country, corruption has made it impossible for the government to translate the presence of the abundant resources to improved standard of living in Nigeria which has lead to increasing poverty level in Nigeria. The study examined the magnitude of the impact of corruption on Nigeria economy and found that Corruption Perception Index the proxy for corruption has been hampering development proxy by the Nigeria’s GDP to the tune of over $116billion reduction in GDP on average, also the rank of Nigeria on the corruption cadre has also negatively affected growth and development in Nigeria to the tune of more than $1billion reduction in GDP on the average. It is thereby concluded that corruption has negatively affected economic growth and development in Nigeria.
Corruption of many folds such as bribery, fraudulent acts, embezzlement of public and private funds and property, election rigging and ballot stuffing, money laundering, examination malpractices in schools of privately and publicly owned, are some forms of corrupt practices perpetrated in Nigeria. Corruption have caused lack of public infrastructures, it has increased the level of poverty in the country despite the nation’s enormous resources, less respect for fundamental human right, and it shows that no matter the efforts of government to improve the economy and the presence of other developmental indices, when corruption is not reduced to its bearable minimum, economic growth and development will be very difficult to sustain in Nigeria.
5.3 Conclusion
We find that corruption impacts negatively on economic growth as evidenced from our analysis. This may cost the economy so much that development will be slowed down if not restricted. The causal relationship of the variables also shows that corruption impairs economic growth and that its consequences and effects are also on the increase. Therefore, it is obvious that in a bid to minimize corruption in order to restore the fame and dignity of the economy making it an environment for rapid economic growth, the identified issues and problems of corruption setting back the economy over time must be seriously identified and tackled. To this end, we suggest that existing reforms and policies on corruption be sincerely reviewed and strengthened to ruthlessly address the causes of corruption rather than its effects. In doing this, the roles of the agencies and commissions saddled with monitoring corrupt practices must be motivated and encouraged. This will amount to strictly enforcing due process and the rule of law in the public administration where corruption is at the highest level. Also, in fighting against corruption, measures and strategies should comprise of Private Anti-Corruption Initiatives, Public anti-corruption initiatives and Public education campaign/programmes. If this is achieved, it will create a long lasting impression in the mind of those that may further want to engage in corruption and with time, this will gradually correct damages caused to the economy in such a way that those effects on the economy will be insignificantly noticeable. Besides this, it will make corruption further hard and more hazardous to engage in. In addition to these measures, we conclude that punitive measures should be put in place to ensure transparency, monitoring, and accountability through a working fair and just system. This is because some people will engage in corrupt practice simply because of the belief and understanding that they can go scot free. The economy also requires that the political arena develop a firm and uncorrupt legal monitoring system that will establish and ensure that corruption will not occur in the planning and execution of public sector budgets while social and internal control mechanisms are required for civil society and autonomous state auditing agencies.
5.4 Recommendation
Haven successfully completed the study, the researcher therefore put forward the following recommendations; The first step is for the government to strengthen the ability of the anti-graft agencies and at best make them independent from the influence of political elites and the government so that these agencies will be able to perform their functions without the influence of government and will not be seen as a witch hunting agencies of the government anymore. The public should be educated about the problems that corrupt practices create for the economy and the society at large, and be discouraged from participating in corrupt practices. The media and civil society groups have an important role to play here, the government should encourage full freedom of press and information and not do this by simply signing laws but put it into practice. The anti-graft agencies should be equipped technologically with the data base information of Nigerians which can always be updated in order to encourage accountability of earnings and spending of Nigerians.
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