A comprehensive approach to eradicating the cancer in Nigeria
Christian C. Madubuko, PhD.
Corruption has long been a thorn in the flesh of Nigeria, a country rich in natural resources but plagued by endemic corruption. It has become a norm for public officials to embezzle funds meant for the betterment of the nation, while the masses suffer.
Corruption has become a cancer that has ravaged Nigeria’s political and economic fabric, perpetuating poverty, inequality, instability, and insecurity of lives and properties. It is a plague that has afflicted all levels of society, from the top echelons of government to the lowest rungs of civil society. In fact, corruption is now a pervasive and deeply ingrained problem in Nigeria, affecting every aspect of life and hindering the country’s economic growth and development. The problem is particularly acute at the highest levels of government, where corrupt politicians make policies that benefit themselves and their cronies at the expense of the majority.
The effects of corruption are far-reaching, from stifling economic growth to undermining democracy and polluting the justice system as well as eroding trust in institutions. To address this issue, it is essential to adopt a multifaceted approach that tackles corruption from “top-down”, involving both government and non-governmental efforts. We, Nigerians have two options of either to “kill corruption” and erase it completely from our history or “corruption will kill Nigeria” and do us apart.
This article presents a comprehensive plan to end corruption in Nigeria, starting with corrupt politicians who make bad policies.
Addressing Corrupt Politicians
The rot starts at the top. Corrupt politicians create an environment conducive to corruption by making policies that benefit only themselves and their cronies, pillaging the people’s commonwealth and leaving the economy bleeding, inflicting inflation, insecurity, poverty, and food crisis on the innocent citizens. Today, poor Nigerians can no longer sleep because they are hungry and rich Nigerians can no longer sleep, too, because poor Nigerians are awake. To combat this, we must begin by addressing the corrupt politicians who create these policies.
This includes:
Impeaching or prosecuting any politician found guilty of corruption, including those who have already left office.
Enacting laws that make it difficult for corrupt politicians to hold public office again, including life imprisonment, public execution, or both depending on the offence.
Establishing a strong and independent anti-corruption agency that is not beholden to politicians and is truly independent.
Encouraging transparency in political financing by making it compulsory for politicians to declare their sources of income and assets.
Implementing a system of recall, where citizens can vote out corrupt politicians who have served for more than two terms.
Strengthening political parties’ internal mechanisms to prevent corruption and promote accountability.
Addressing Corruption in Public Institutions
Corruption is rampant in public institutions, where officials often use their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of the public. I was traveling from Australia to Nigeria few months ago, I passed through Singapore, Thailand, and Dubai. I shed tears on arriving at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. What I saw at the airport within the ranks and files of those entrusted with immigration matters is better imagined than told.
To address corruption in public institutions, we must:
Strengthen institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prevent electoral rigging and financial malfeasance.
Implement a whistleblower protection policy to encourage citizens to report corrupt activities.
Ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions, with severe penalties for those found guilty of corruption.
Introduce technology-driven solutions such as biometric identification and tracking systems to reduce opportunities for corruption.
Strengthen laws governing procurement processes to prevent fraud and embezzlement.
Establish a culture of transparency and accountability within public institutions.
Police officers and other security personnel including para-military institutions found to have engaged in bribery and other acts intended to steal from the public should be sentenced to jail for a term not less than five years in prison. Such a person should also be made to continue with his/her profession one he/she is off the hook.
Addressing Corruption in the Private Sector
The private sector is not immune to corruption either. Companies that engage in corrupt practices must be held accountable.
We must:
Strengthen laws and regulations governing business transactions, with stiff penalties for companies found guilty of bribery or other forms of corruption including life imprisonment, death penalty or both.
Encourage transparency in business transactions by requiring companies to declare their financial dealings and relationships with government officials.
Support organizations that promote ethical business practices and hold companies accountable for their actions.
Implement a system of checks and balances within companies to prevent corruption from occurring.
Strengthen labour laws to protect workers from exploitation and ensure that they are compensated.
Community-Led Initiatives
Corruption is not just a problem for governments and institutions; it is also a community problem. Community-led initiatives can play a crucial role in combating corruption.
We must:
Encourage community-based anti-corruption groups to monitor and report corrupt activities.
Support civil society organizations that promote good governance and accountability.
Engage with traditional leaders and religious leaders to promote anti-corruption messages.
Note: any traditional leader or religious leader found to be guilty of corruption should be sentenced to jail for a term not lower than 5 years in prison, depending on the offence committed.
Establish community-based initiatives that promote transparency and accountability, such as citizen reporting mechanisms.
International Cooperation
Corruption is a global problem that requires international cooperation to solve. We must:
Strengthen international agreements and treaties aimed at combating corruption.
Collaborate with other countries to share intelligence and best practices on anti-corruption strategies.
Encourage international organizations such as the United Nations and the African Union to support anti-corruption efforts.
Work with international financial institutions to ensure that they do not support corrupt regimes or individuals.
Any individuals found to have stolen from the public treasury and staked such stolen wealth in any foreign bank or nation(s) should be publicly executed, and or imprisoned for life.
Technology-Driven Solutions
Technology can be a powerful tool in the fight against corruption. We must:
Implement electronic payment systems that reduce opportunities for bribery and embezzlement.
Use data analytics to track financial transactions and identify suspicious activity.
Leverage social media platforms to raise awareness about anti-corruption efforts and encourage reporting of corrupt activities.
Establish an open data platform that provides citizens with access to information on government spending and contracts.
Capacity Building
Capacity building is critical to ensuring that institutions have the necessary skills and resources to combat corruption. We must:
Provide training for public officials on anti-corruption laws and procedures.
Support capacity-building programs for civil society organizations and community groups.
Establish partnerships with international organizations to access expertise and resources.
Provide funding for research on corruption-related issues.
Sanctions and Consequences
To deter corrupt behaviour, there must be severe consequences for those found guilty of corruption. We must:
Establish life imprisonment or harsher penalties for corrupt officials who embezzle large sums of money or engage in other forms of high-level corruption.
Confiscate properties or financial proceeds earned through corrupt means.
Publicly execute offenders who are convicted of capital crimes related to corruption.
Strip corrupt officials of their titles, positions, and privileges.
Imprison judges who engage in bribery to pervert justice for a jail term not less than ten years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, eradicating corruption in Nigeria will require a comprehensive approach that addresses all levels of society, from top-down. It will require strong leadership, robust institutions, community engagement, international cooperation, technology-driven solutions, capacity building, and severe sanctions for those found guilty of corruption. Only then can we create a Nigeria where corruption is a thing of the past, where our children can grow up in a country that is fair, just, and prosperous for all.
Dr. Madubuko is a Political & Diplomatic Historian, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of History & International Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, & a researcher at LaTrobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Madubuko was a former Anambra Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Commerce, Commissioner for Transport, as well as the Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism. He was also the Executive Director of Operations, Anambra Internal Revenue Service. He writes from Canberra – The Australian Capital Territory, ACT. Mobile/WhatsApp: +2348162527884
E-mail: ogbekingdom@gmail.com
