In 2023, Nigeria confronted an enormous downside with corruption, with individuals paying a complete of N700 billion in bribes all year long.
Musa Aliyu, the Chairman of the Impartial Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC), acknowledged this subject throughout a chat at Ahmadu Bello College’s School of Legislation, emphasising how this widespread corruption is holding again the nation’s progress and damaging belief in its establishments.
A Widespread Downside
Aliyu defined that bribery is extra frequent in rural areas than in cities. This uneven unfold of corruption makes it onerous to sort out the issue successfully and make sure that all areas can develop pretty.
Regardless of these difficulties, extra persons are beginning to report corruption: the proportion of residents reporting bribes has elevated from 3.6% in 2019 to eight.6% in 2023. This reveals that extra persons are turning into conscious of the difficulty and are keen to take a stand in opposition to it.
Influence on Society and Rights
The chairman additionally spoke about how corruption impacts extra than simply cash, it hurts human rights and social justice too. For example, a 2018 World Financial institution survey discovered that about 70% of feminine graduates from Nigerian schools had been sexually harassed. This type of abuse reveals how deep corruption can go, affecting individuals’s security and dignity.
Aliyu confused the necessity for higher coaching within the judiciary to deal with new challenges like cybercrime extra successfully. That is vital for maintaining with technological adjustments and defending individuals from new threats.
By specializing in these areas, the ICPC hopes to construct a stronger battle in opposition to corruption, utilizing training, neighborhood motion, and higher legal guidelines to deliver again equity and belief in Nigerian society.