Nigeria is said to rank the 36th most corrupt country in the world ,according to the 2024 report released by Transparency International (TI) this year, 2025. Reports have it that Nigeria was joined by “Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq, and Cameroon in the same rating . However , no matter how TI arrived at the present rating of the country, many Nigerians are believe or are insistent that corruption is prevalent in the country.
The ranking released recently by TI, is said to be based on the 2024 corruption perceptions index.
Corruption and its twin brother, bribery, have dealt a mortal blow to the growth and development of nations especially, in Africa and other parts of the developing world.
The establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other anti-graft agencies by the Federal Government of Nigeria, was a move towards curbing the menace of bribery and corruption that have retarded the growth and development of the country.
There are several reports of public office holders who have been prosecuted or convicted for offences bothering on bribery and corruption in both public and private sectors. Several millions and billions of Naira and other foreign currencies have also been recovered in the process.
It must be stated here that bribery and corruption in public life, are mostly responsible for the palpable state of affairs in various sectors of the country as they are visible in governance, education, health, business, among others.The effect is devastating on the quality of life of the citizenry- decayed infrastructure,
power and energy crises, deteriorated healthcare system, high death rate, hunger, starvation, high cost of food and other goods and services, falling standard of education, lack of confidence in the electoral system, to mention a few.
To fix the country we must begin with a determined fight against bribery and corruption.
Even the Bible is clear about the nexus between success and uprightness. Psalm 24 verses 3 to 4 says, “Who can go to the hill of the Lord? Who can stand in His presence? The one whose acts are pure…”
Governments at all levels including the citizens must fight the menace of bribery and corruption to a standstill ,if Nigeria would achieve a new dawn, or make significant headway in the journey towards nation building. The
anti-graft agencies must be strengthened and given greater autonomy to succeed. The National Assembly and the judiciary have much to do in this regard.
Processes that prevent corruption in public life must be put in check. The application of relevant technologies and amendment of relevant laws to check the corrupt activities of public office holders remain key.
It is our patriotic view that the use of foreign companies to execute contracts at State and Federal levels must be guided by stringent legal conditionalities to minimised money laundering.
Nothing,we also believe can be more apt than this.