Corruption And Socio-Economic Development In Nigeria

Corruption And Socio-Economic Development In Nigeria
Abstract
The study seeks to examine the effects of corruption on economic development in Nigeria. It highlights the probable root – causes of corruption, and the likely factors that give vent to its exacerbation in the Nigerian economy. The study examines the apparent machinery through which corruption impairs economic development in Nigeria. To meaningfully curb corruption in Nigeria, a selfless, disciplined, and visionary leadership is inevitable. The Nigerian judicial system should make the courts to, indeed, function as “courts of justice”, and allow the law to be practically “blind” in its operations. More so, Nigeria’s mode of production should change from the one (the present), which engenders and supports income inequality among the people to the one characterized by equity and justice in the distribution of national output. For without which, anti – corruption strategies adopted in Nigeria will have very little or no effect, and corruption will not attenuate, but rather it will accentuate.
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Corruption is a persistent issue in Nigeria. Corruption is a form of anti-social behavior by an individual or social group which confers unjust or fraudulent benefits on its perpetrators, is consistent with the established legal norms and prevailing moral ethos of the land and is likely to subvert or diminish by capacity of the legitimate authorities to provide fully for the material well- being of all the members of society in a just and equitable manner. President Muhammadu Buhari defined Corruption as the greatest form of human right Violation. Since the Creation of Modern Public Administration in the Country, there have been cases of official misuse of funds and resources. The rise of public Administration and the discovery of oil and National Gas are two major events seen to have led to the increase in corrupt practices in the country. However, this is attributed to colonialism. According to this view, the nation’s colonial history may have restricted any early influence in an ethnical revolution; “the trappings of flashy cars, houses and success and to emulate the colonists in different political ways”. Involvement in the agenda of colonial rule may inhibit idealism in the early stages of the nascent nation’s development. A view commonly held during the colonial days was that colonistfr property (cars, houses, farms etc) is not “our” property. The issue of embezzlement and fraudulent activities, mismanagement, economic corruption, lack of accountability and transparency continues to elude a country like Nigeria ever since her independence. It’s mitigating the entire population both at the grass roots up to the political levels. Even the mentally deterred people in the country could recognize the havoc caused by corruption. Evidence abound that the rate of corruption especially financial crimes like advanced fee fraud fondly known as 419 and money laundering committed in Nigeria is alarming. Nigerian’s are treated with suspicion in all business dealings within and outside the country, making majority of honest Nigerians suffer the result. In regards to this, hassan (2004), opined that the federal government should try to implement an intensive programme of eradicating the menace of corruption in the country. This is because, it has the political will to achieve this objective. The most relevant effort is the creation of EFCC. The EFCC was established by an act of parliament on December 13th 2002 by the federal government they began full operation in 2003. It has support from the presidency, the legislature, security and law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. The commission is primarily charged with the responsibility of eradicating all the economic and financial crimes such as: advanced fee fraud, money laundering, counterfeits, future market fraud, fraudulent encashment of negotiable instrument, computer credit card fraud, contracts scam, and embezzlement of public funds and illegal acquisition of company shares which do not exist to investors.
According to ajaero (2004), our politicians are also not exempted in this financial crime. In Nigeria today, people see politics as a short cut to becoming a millionaire. Those voted into power use it as an opportunity of looting the public funds, diverting them to their personal account instead of providing the people with dividends of democracy. According to bajo (2004), corruption has continued to be a destructive element in the government of Nigeria and the perception of the country in the community of nations. It has resulted to a lot of problem, thus: loss of government, brain drain, electoral malpractices and absence of law and orders. Thus, vandalism and looking of public property was not seen as a crime against society. This view is what has degenerated into the more recent disregard for public property and lack of public trust and concern for public goods as a collective national property. The government has aimed at containing through the enactment of laws and the enforcement of integrity systems, but success has been slow. As at 2012, Nigeria is estimated to have lost over $400 billion to corruption since independence. Many attributed this to flagrant graft and exists in the country. Many blamed greed and Ostentatious life-style as a potential root cause of these problems. The effects of corruption on the socio-economic landscape of any society can be so devastating that noting meaningful works in the midst of this malaise.
In the midst of all the strands of corruption it can be said that political corruption predominates. And this area of study constitutes the potential issue of study. This is because those at all helm of affairs of government, the political elite accounts for the sharing and allocation of values in the society. This misallocation of these values and resources seem to be at the heart of Nigerian’s Socio-Economic problems upon which multidimensional social vices the country passes through. But for the purpose of this work we shall limit it to Akwa Ibom State.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Corruption in Nigeria exists at a learning proportion. In government it thrives in the area of project costing, ghost workers syndrome, contract awards and their subsequent abandonment; payment of huge sum of money to political godfathers, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds. The result or consequences of these acts has been total insecurity, poor economic management, abuse of human rights, ethnic conflicts, capital flight, poverty and the enormous wealth inequality in Nigeria are deeply rooted in political corruption. It has remained a major challenge against Nigerian’s lack of appreciable socio-economic development especially in Akwa Ibom State given its rich endowment in both human and material resources.
The questions is, how has corruption hinders the socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom State despite its huge resources.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
This study adopted the following objectives
- To identify the consequences of corruption on life substances, self-esteem and freedom of Akwa Ibom people.
- To ascertain the level of poverty among the people caused by corruption.
- To find out the level of explication and infrastructure decay on the state.
- To suggest ways of combating corruption in the land.
1.4 Research Hypotheses
- H0: there is no significant relationship between corruption and economic growth in Nigeria
H1: there is a significant relationship between corruption and economic growth in Nigeria - H02: corruption has not led to infrastructural decay in the country
H2: corruption has led to infrastructural decay in the country
1.5 Significant of the Study
This research work is to serve as a valuable tool, as it would be a useful document for future studies. In addition, this study will provide a framework for dealing with the problems of corruption and socio-economic development, in Akwa Ibom State, if the suggestions offered are adhere to. It would also be a veritable input to government officials in making decision concerning corruption.
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The scope of this study was on aspect or form of corruption and socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom State 1999-2011. It will examine the consequences on the socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom People.
a) Availability of Research Material:
The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
b) Time:
The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
c) Organizational Privacy:
Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Corruption
Corruption is a form of dishonesty undertaken by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit. Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement, though it may also involve practices that are legal in many countries
Economic development
Economic development is the process by which a nation improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its people.
Socio-economic development
Socioeconomics is the social science that studies how economic activity affects and is shaped by social processes.
1.8 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 (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
- Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
- Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology 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 was to ascertain the effect of corruption and socio-economic development 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 challenges of corruption and economic development in Nigeria.
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
The study aims at investigating and analyzing the dynamics and mechanisms of corruption and its consequent venomous effects on economic development in Nigeria. The researchers developed a model “corruption inter net model” to graphically portray the inter- relationship of the various sectors in an economy in corruption. It also adapted a model “the benefit capture model” to demonstrate how corruption impairs economic development in Nigeria. The paper identified some culpable factors (mechanisms), which probably give vent to corruption in Nigeria. For Nigeria to really curb corruption in its economy, a purposeful, selfless, disciplined and visionary leadership is inevitable. These qualities of the leadership, if maintained, will spiral to all sectors of the economy. More so, our mode of production should change from the one (the present), which engenders and supports income inequality among the people to the one characterized by equity and justice. For until the right of decisive forces of production is established on the principles of equity and justice, rather than on the principles of “survival of the fittest,” and “the more powerful takes it all” which largely characterize the Nigerian economy, anti – corruption commissions and strategies adopted in Nigeria will have little or no effects, but rather will serve as congenial platform on which corruption thrives.
5.4 Recommendation
Haven completed the study, the following recommendations were put forward by the researcher;
Special courts should be established to try corruption cases. This will give speed and quick judgement to corruption cases.
Our criminal and penal laws need review. This is because they were not initially designed to solve the kind of problem we are experiencing in our contemporary society where corruption has become “systemic with the institutionalisation of corrupt motivation among various bureaucratic, political and business elites” (Ayua 2001).
While laws and law enforcement are indispensible, the sustained reduction of systematic corruption requires committed leadership that solves the socio-economic problems of the people and in turn gets support from the citizens and the civil society.
Honesty and transparency should be publicly rewarded. This will serve as an encouragement to the society and the upcoming generation that it pays to be honest.
The family is the micro unit of the society. The message of value reorientation should begin from the family. Parents should endavour to inculcate in their children and wards the character of honesty, dedication and uprightness.
There should be stringent punishment for those convicted of corrupt acts in our law court. If possible let us take a cue from China where harder punitive measure are placed on convicted criminals. This may definitely serve as a deterrent to those that may want to be motivated by largess from sharp and corrupt acts.


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