CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background To The Study

Corruption is a pervasive and complex phenomenon that affects various aspects of

society worldwide. It is a major obstacle to economic development, democratic governance, and

social justice (Transparency International, 2020). Corruption weakens the rule of law, distorts

markets, and deprives citizens of essential public services (United Nations, 2020). According to

the World Bank (2020), corruption costs the global economy approximately $2.6 trillion

annually, which is equivalent to about 5% of global GDP. Furthermore, corruption is a

significant driver of poverty, inequality, and social unrest (World Bank, 2020).The global

community has recognized the need to combat corruption, as evident in the United Nations'

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16, which aims to promote peaceful

and inclusive societies, provide access to justice, and build effective and accountable institutions

(United Nations, 2020).Corruption is a significant challenge facing Nigeria, affecting various

aspects of the country's economy, politics, and society. Nigeria ranks 146 out of 180 countries in

Transparency International's 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), indicating a high level of

perceived corruption (Transparency International, 2020). Corruption in Nigeria manifests in

various forms, including bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism. The country's oil-rich economy

has created opportunities for corrupt practices, particularly in the public sector (Oyinlola, 2017).

The Nigerian government has established various institutions and mechanisms to combat

corruption, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). However, despite these efforts, corruption

remains a pervasive problem in Nigeria (Adebanwi, 2017). Corruption is the exploitation of

public office for personal gain, where an official receives an inducement to perform their duties.

(Johnston, 2014, p. 12) Corruption is a form of behavior that deviates from the formal duties of a

public role because of private-regarding (personal, close family, private clique) pecuniary or

status gains. (Nye, 1967, p. 419) Corruption is the use of public office for private gain, where the

official's personal interest conflicts with their public duty. (Klitgaard, 1988, p. 23). The greatest

and the fountain of other challenges to governance particularly in the twilight of the twentieth

and dawn of the twenty first centuries is corruption. The dimension of the vice has over the years

has attracted the attention of the global communities. This has placed the fight against corruption

as a factor that adversely affects the quality of governance has been universally recognized (vitta,

2000). It is for this reason that the focus and tenor of the fight against corruption has attracted

renewed vigor and come under fresh scrutiny as part of a broader good governance agenda. This

partly due to the rise in the incidence of corruption with impurity and mounting evidence of its

multi-dimensional impact (African Development Bank (AFDB) 2006). In order to ameliorate the

evil of corrupt practices series of anti-corrupt practice institutes were established to take care of

the issue, a lot of independent corrupt practices and other related offences commission (ICPC)

were established via the ICPC act of 13 June, 2000 with the major objective of prohibiting and

prescribing punishments for corrupt practices and related offences. Specifically, the agency is to

banish impurity for corrupt practice and other related offences through system study, education,

public enlightenment and mobilization. The EFCC was established in 2002 by an act of national

assembly and amended 2024 vide the EFCC acts, 2004. The agency was established with the

objectives of sanitizing the national economic environment by enforcing all economic and
financial crime laws. The issue of corruption constitutes a fundamental phenomenon in our

contemporary society. Nigeria has over the years suffered from corruption and the effect has

exacted untold hardship on the living standard of the ordinary citizen as well as on the pace of

development of the economy of the nation. The corrupt practices and other related offences act,

defines corruption as bribery, fraud and other related offences. It covers the deliberate giving and

receipt of gratification or bribes to influence the execution of the public responsibility, deceitful

acquisition and receipt of properties, will full impairment of investigation by ICPC. The black’s

law dictionary views corruption as the damage of integrity, virtue, or moral principle as it applies

to public official duties. Corruption is the exhibition of behavior which contradicts the official

duties for private gain. The term corruption has also been viewed as any action or inaction which

leads to the intentional acquisition of gain for one’s self-relation or acquittance in a manner

which contradict the law, or code of conduct. Corruption is the denial of public trust directly so

as to suppress public interest to one’s personal interest. corruption is also viewed as the

interference with the election process illegally to falsify results or vote rigging. It involves

bureaucratic corruption which entails the illegal enrichment of civil servants.

1.2 Local Government

Local government refers to a political subdivision of a country or state that has the power to

govern a specific geographic area. (International City/County Management Association, 2020, p.

2)

Local government is a public authority that is responsible for providing services to a specific

geographic area. (World Bank, 2020, p. 10)Local government is the tier of government that is
closest to the people and is responsible for delivering essential services such as water, sanitation,

and waste management. (United Nations, 2020, p. 15)

1.3 Statement of the Problem

The effective governance of local government administration is pivotal to Nigeria's socio-

economic development, directly impacting citizens' lives. Transparency and accountability are

essential components of good governance, fostering trust, stability, and prosperity. However,

corruption in Nigeria's local government administration is exacerbated by a pervasive lack of

transparency, hindering accountability and perpetuating corrupt practices. Corruption in local

government in Nigeria is a pervasive and complex phenomenon that weaken the delivery of

essential public services, exacerbates poverty and inequality, and erodes trust in government.

Despite efforts to combat corruption, the lack of transparency and accountability in local

government administration has created an environment conducive to corrupt practices. The

current state of decay of democracy and democratic principles is due to corruption. It weakens

good governance by converting public wealth into private gains and leads to the manipulation of

election results to the detriment of voting public. Corruption deprives of the electorate the

principle of accountability in government. Corrupt politicians and others public office holders

squander the nations resources illegally for their private gains unabated. The country’s judiciary

is not absolved of this menace as the rich never gets convicted while only the poor face the

consequences of the law. The effect of corruption on the economy is devastating. It stifles

economic growth, leads to loss of revenue, investment and trade opportunities. The

implementation of government policies in many areas of the economy have been weakened by

corrupt practices such as bribery, extortions, marginalization, tribalism and many more. Its ad led
to public procurement, revenue collection, foreign direct investment and application of foreign

aid. Corruption has led to decay in infrastructure, education, medical and government services

public treasury. Furthermore, the existing literature on corruption in Nigeria has focused

primarily on the federal and state levels, with limited attention paid to the local government

level. This knowledge gap is significant, as local governments play a critical role in delivering

essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. This study aims to address

this knowledge gap by investigating the nature, causes, and consequences of corruption in Moro

Local Government Area. Specifically, the study will examine the types of corrupt practices that

occur in the local government, the factors that contribute to these practices, and the impact of

corruption on the delivery of public services and the welfare of citizens.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to ascertain impact of corruption on Nigeria administrative

system, other objectives include

1. To examine the prevalence and nature of corruption in local government administration in

Nigeria.

2. To investigate the causes and consequences of corruption in local government administration

in Nigeria.

3. To identify the factors that contribute to corruption in local government administration in

Nigeria.

4. To propose strategies for reducing corruption and promoting transparency and accountability

in local government administration in Nigeria.

1.5 Research Questions

1. What is the prevalence and nature of corruption in local government administration in

Nigeria?

2. What are the causes and consequences of corruption in local government administration in

Nigeria?

3. What factors contribute to corruption in local government administration in Nigeria?

4. What strategies can be employed to reduce corruption and promote transparency and

accountability in local government administration in Nigeria?

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on corruption in local

government administration in Nigeria. The findings of this research will be beneficial to various

stakeholders, including:

1. Policy Makers: The study's recommendations will provide valuable insights for policy

makers to develop and implement effective anti-corruption strategies in local government

administration.

2. Local Government Administrators: The findings will help local government administrators

understand the causes and consequences of corruption, enabling them to develop and implement

transparency and accountability measures.

3. Civil Society Organizations: The study's results will provide civil society organizations with

empirical evidence to advocate for transparency and accountability in local government

administration.

4. Researchers and Academics: This study will contribute to the existing literature on

corruption in local government administration, providing a foundation for future research.

5. Nigerian Citizens: Ultimately, the findings of this study will benefit Nigerian citizens by

promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in local government

administration, which will lead to improved service delivery and better livelihoods.

These stakeholders will benefit from the findings of this study by gaining a deeper understanding

of the causes and consequences of corruption in local government administration, as well as

practical recommendations for promoting transparency and accountability.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on corruption in local government administration in Nigeria, with a specific

emphasis on the causes, consequences, and solutions to this problem.

1. Conceptual framework: A review of the existing literature on corruption, transparency, and

accountability in local government administration.

2. Causes of corruption: An examination of the factors that contribute to corruption in local

government administration in Nigeria.

3. Consequences of corruption: An analysis of the effects of corruption on local government

administration, citizens, and the economy.

4. Solutions to corruption: A discussion of strategies for promoting transparency,

accountability, and good governance in local government administration.

1.8 Time Scope

The study will cover the period from 2019 to 2023, examining the trends, causes, and

consequences of corruption in moro local government administration.

1.9 Operational definition of terms

Corruption: The abuse of power or position for personal gain or benefit, often involving

bribery, embezzlement, or other forms of malfeasance.

Transparency: The quality of being open, honest, and clear in all dealings, allowing for easy

access to information and scrutiny.

Accountability: The state of being responsible and answerable for one's actions, decisions, and

policies.

Local Government Administration: The system of governance at the local level, responsible

for providing basic services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Good Governance: The process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are

implemented, involving transparency, accountability, and participation.

Nigeria: A federal republic located in West Africa, comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital

Territory, Abuja.
Local Government: The third tier of government in Nigeria, responsible for administering local

affairs.

Administration: The process of managing and organizing resources to achieve specific goals

and objectives.

Mismanagement: The act of managing resources inefficiently, ineffectively, or unethically.