Faith Nyasuguta
In 2023, corruption emerged as the fourth most critical issue in Nigeria, trailing only behind the cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment. A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that Nigerians paid an estimated 721 billion naira (approximately $1.26 billion) in cash bribes over the past year. This staggering figure represents 0.35% of the nation’s GDP.
The NBS report estimated that around 87 million bribes were exchanged during the reviewed period, a decline from 117 million in 2019. This equates to an average of 0.8 bribes per adult. The data also showed that more than 95% of these bribes were paid in monetary form, either through cash or money transfers, a slight increase from the figures reported in 2019.
One notable aspect of the report is the rising defiance among Nigerians against paying bribes. In 2023, 70% of those asked to pay a bribe refused to do so at least once. This growing resistance is partly attributed to the country’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by recent currency reforms and the partial removal of a fuel subsidy. These economic pressures have emboldened 23% of Nigerians to reject bribe requests.
The report also highlighted that 21% of those who refused to pay bribes did so because they had alternative means to achieve their objectives. Bribery was found to be most prevalent among prosecutors, land registry officers, and customs and immigration officers. However, judges and magistrates received the largest bribes, indicating a significant issue within the judicial system.
These findings indicate the pervasive nature of corruption within Nigeria’s public sector, as well as the growing awareness and resistance among citizens.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with these challenges, the data emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to combat corruption and improve governance. The report serves as a critical call to action for policymakers, urging them to address the systemic issues that enable corruption to thrive.
MOST CORRUPT PUBLIC OFFICERS
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