Impact of Corruption on National Development: The Nigerian Experience
Ije, O. Jairus; 1 Garba Andrew Yawa1 & Kayode Olumuyiwa Ebenezer2
1Department of Political Science, Bingham University, Karu
2Department of Sociology, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
Email: dominionbizz@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The study examines the impact of corruption on national development the Nigerian experience. The study relied on secondary sources of data as veritable tools for its analysis. . Findings reveal that corruption is a social menace and a cankerworm that has eaten deep into socio-economic and political fabric and life of Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world. Further findings revealed the pervasive phenomenon of corruption and its practice as systematic and endemic in both public and
private sectors of the Nigerian economy. The broad objective of the study is to stamp out corruption from Nigeria and to make Nigeria stand tall among comity of nations. Further findings revealed how
the attendant and devastating consequences of corruption affect the routine processes of governance, pollutes business environment, creates poverty, unemployment and general underdevelopment in
society, loss of respect among comity of nations, lowers standard of living of citizens, makes Nigeria a dependent and beggar nation. The theory is anchored on Dialectical Historical Materialist approach. The gap of the study is to have a corrupt free Nigeria where the yearnings and aspirations
of Nigerian citizens will be met. The paper concludes that in Nigeria, we have not been able to mobilize our energies, through purposeful and accountable leadership that will transform our enormous human and material resources toward uplifting our peoples’ condition. The study
recommends that since corruption is primitive accumulation and crime against humanity, government should ensure that only men and women of proven integrity, with the fear of God and love for their people should be given positions of responsibility in Nigeria.
