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Canadian Social Science ISSN 1923-6697[Online]
Vol. 9, No. 5, 2013, pp. 87-97 [Link]
DOI:10.3968/[Link].1923669720130905.2800 [Link]

An Assessment of Corruption in the Public Sector in Nigeria: A Study of Akure

South Local Government Area, Ondo State

Osimen, Goddy Uwa[a],*; Adenegan, Taiwo Samuel[a]; Balogun, Akinyemi[a]

INTRODUCTION
[a]
College of Social and Management Sciences, Achievers University,
Owo, Nigeria.
*
Corresponding author. To say that corruption is rampant in Nigeria is to over
flog the obvious. Corruption in Nigeria, as it presently
Received 15 July 2013; accepted 5 October 2013 manifested can be appropriately termed endemic or
systemic. Corruption is an effort to secure wealth or power
Abstract through illegal means for private benefit. Corruption
Issue of corruption in Nigeria has been a major concern like cockroaches has coexisted with human society for
to all and sundry in the society. The upsurge of this social a long time and remains as one of the problems in many
menace in Nigeria in recent times is disturbing and it of the world’s developing economies with devastating
seems the menace has defied all kinds of treatment and the consequences. Corruption as a phenomenon, is a global
damage it has caused to national life cannot be quantified. problem, and exists in varying degrees in different
The objective of this paper therefore, is to examine and countries (Agbu, 2003).
assess corruption in the public sector in Nigeria with Corruption is found in democratic and dictatorial
particular reference to Akure South Local Government politics; feudal, capitalist and socialist economies.
Area of Ondo State. It has generated data based on Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist cultures are
questionnaires, on the public perception and level of equally bedeviled by corruption. Corrupt practices
corruption in the study area. The questionnaire and the did not begin today; the history is as old as the world.
groups tested were segmented. However, it was observed Ancient civilizations have traces of widespread illegally
that many factors such as; lack of transparency, moral and corruption. Thus, corruption has been ubiquitous in
laxity, weak government institutions, unemployment and complex societies from ancient Egypt, Israel, Rome and
poverty etc were significant factors stimulating corruption Greece down to the present (Lipset & Lenz, 2000). This
in Nigeria. By this result, it means that proactive measures does not, however, mean that the magnitude of corruption
must be shaped towards eradicating corruption in Nigeria. is equal in every society some Countries are more corrupt
This paper recommends, among others, that government than others! As George Orwell notes in his widely read
should strengthen the institutions established to fight book, Animal Farm: All animals are equal, but some
corruption. animals are more equal than others.
Key words: Corruption; Public sector; Nigeria In Nigeria, it is one of the many unresolved problems
(Ayobolu, 2006) that have critically hobbled and
Osimen, Goddy Uwa, Adenegan, Taiwo Samuel, Balogun, Akinyemi
skewed development. It remains a long-term major
(2013). An Assessment of Corruption in the Public Sector in Nigeria: political and economic challenge for Nigeria (Sachs,
A Study of Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State. 2007). It is a canker worm that has eaten deep in the
Canadian Social Science, 9(5), 87-97. Available from: [Link] fabric of the nation. It ranges from petty corruption to
[Link]/[Link]/css/article/view/[Link].1923669720130905.2800
DOI: [Link]
political/bureaucratic corruption or Systemic corruption
(international Center for Economic Growth, 1999).
World Bank studies put corruption at over $1 trillion per
year accounting for up to 12% of the Gross Domestic
Product of nations like Nigeria, Kenya and Venezuela
(Nwabuzor, 2005).

87 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture

An Assessment of Corruption in the Public Sector in Nigeria: A
Study of Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State

A corruption is endemic as well as an enemy (Agbu, Nigeria ICPC Act 2003 and EFCC Act 2004. But EFCC
2003). It is a canker worm that has eaten deep in the fabric seems to have taken the shine out of ICPC because since
of the country and has caused stunted growth in all sectors its inception, ICPC has never prosecuted successfully any
(Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), corruption case but EFCC has successfully prosecuted a
2005). It has been the primary reason behind the country’s lot of highly place persons in Nigeria.
difficulties in developing fast (Independent Corrupt There are many unresolved problems in Nigeria,
Practices Commission (ICPC), 2006). This is evident that but the issue of the upsurge of corruption is particularly
Transparency International has consistent rating of Nigeria troubling. And the damages it has done to the polity are
as one of the top three most corrupt countries in the world astronomical. The menace of corruption leads to slow
(Ribadu, 2003). movement of files in offices, police extortion on highways
A s p a r t o f e ff o r t a t f i g h t i n g c o r r u p t i o n a n d and slow traffics on the highways, port congestion,
strengthening the economy, Nigeria embarked on an queues at passport offices and gas stations, ghost workers
aggressive pursuit of economic reform that through syndrome, election irregularities, among others. Even the
privatization, banking sector reform, anticorruption mad people on the street recognize the havoc caused by
campaigns and establishment of clear and transparent corruption—the funds allocated for their welfare disappear
fiscal standards since 1999. into the thin air. Thus, it is believed by many in the society
The major aim of the economic reforms in Nigeria is that corruption is the bane of Nigeria. Consequently, the
to provide conducive environment for private investment issue keeps reoccurring in every academic and informal
(African Economic Outlook, 2006). The reform process discussion in Nigeria. And the issue will hardly go
has the following key pillars: improved macroeconomic away. Some writers say that corruption is endemic in all
management, reform of the financial sector, institutional governments, and that is not peculiar to any continent,
reforms, privatization and deregulation, and improvement region and ethnic group. It cuts across faiths, religious
of the infrastructure for economic growth and denominations and political systems and affects both
development. The poor state of electricity, transport and young and old, man and woman alike.
communications is a major handicap for doing business Since corruption is not new, and since it is a global
in Nigeria.
phenomenon, it is not peculiar to Nigeria. However,
Coming down to a heterogeneous country like
corruption is pandemic in Nigeria (and in many other
Nigeria which consists of groups with distinct cultures
African and Asian nations); the leaders as well as the
and languages, and cohabiting together as a federation,
followers are corrupt. Consequently, it has defied all the
a varied version of corruption like tribalism, nepotism,
necessary medicines. Corruption is a threat to democracy
and favouritism are not uncommon. To further compound
and economic development in many societies. It arises
the problem of the elusiveness of corruption, the Anti-
in the ways people pursue, use and exchange wealth
Corruption Law (2000), defines corruption as, “including
and power, and in the strength or weakness of the state,
bribery, fraud and other related offences”. However, what
political and social institutions that sustain and restrain
seems to unify all available definitions on corruptions is
those processes. Perhaps, because corruption has received
that it is a socio-political, economic and moral malaise. It
an extensive attention in the communities and due to the
is an evil wind that does no one any good. Until 2000, the
fact that it has been over-flogged in the academic circles,
offence of corruption was regulated by criminal and penal
corruption has received varied definitions. Corruption has
code. Sometimes in the 80s the military regime of General
broadly been defined as a perversion or a change from
Mohammed Buhari made a decree to regulate indiscipline
good to bad. Specifically, corruption or corrupt behavior
and corrupt practices in Nigeria. The programme was
involves the violation of established rules for personal
tagged War Against Indiscipline and Corruption (WAIC).
gain and profit (Sen 1999). Corruption is efforts to secure
When President Obasanjo assumed office in 1999, the first
wealth or power through illegal means private gain at
step he took in fighting corruption was the establishment
public expense; or a misuse of public power for private
of a commission called Independent Corrupt Practices
and Other Related Offeces Commission (ICPC). One benefit (Lipset & Lenz, 2000).
innovation of both the act of offering or receiving bribe. In addition, Corruption is a behaviour which deviates
For instance, section 99i) and (b) of the Act states from the formal duties of a public role, because of private
“Anybody who gives confers or procure to give any property (gains)—regarding (personal, close family, private clique,
or benefits of any kind to, on or for a public officer or to, on pecuniary or status [gains]. It is a behaviour which
or for any other person; or promises offers to give property of violates rules against the exercise of certain types of
or benefits of any kind to or for a public officer on account of [duties] for private (gains)—regarding influence (Nye,
any act omission or commission, favor or disfavor to be done
or shown by the public officer is guilty of an offence of official
1967). The definition includes such behavior as bribery
corruption and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for (use of a reward to pervert the judgment of a person in
five or seven years (ICPC Act, 2000)”. a position of trust); nepotism (bestowal of patronage by
There are two statutes regulating the offences in reason of ascriptive relationship rather than merit); and

Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture 88

 Osimen, Goddy Uwa; Adenegan, Taiwo Samuel; Balogun, Akinyemi (2013).
Canadian Social Science, 9 (5), 87-97

misappropriation (illegal appropriation of public resources pay, e) tardiness and slovenliness. Osoba (1998, p.378)
for private uses (Banfield, 1961). To the already crowded defines corruption as an “anti-social behaviour conferring
landscape (Osoba, 1996), adds that corruption is an anti- improper benefits contrary to legal and moral norms, and
social behaviour conferring improper benefits contrary which undermine the authorities” to improve the living
to legal and moral norms, and which undermine the conditions of the people.
authorities to improve the living conditions of the people. Dike (2011) notes that though some of these definitions
Even though some of these definitions of corruption have of corruption have been around for over decades, the
been around for the over decades, the recent development recent development in Nigeria where discoveries of
in Nigeria where discoveries of stole public funds into stolen public funds run into billions of US Dollars and
billions of US Dollars and Nigeria Nair, make these Nigeria Naira, make these definitions very adequate
definitions adequate and appropriate. Corruption is and appropriate. He further observes that corruption is
probably the main means to accumulate quick wealth probably the main means of accumulating quick wealth
in Nigeria. Corruption occurs in many forms, and it has in Nigeria. Corruption occurs in many forms, and it has
contributed immensely to the poverty and misery of a contributed immensely to the poverty and misery of a
large segment of the Nigerian population. large segment of the Nigerian population. Corruption has
In the real sense, political corruption is the use of become institutionalized in Nigeria.
legislated powers by government official for illegitimate Corruption is the colonization of fraudulence; the
private gain. Misuse of government power for other brazen celebration of impunity, which pollutes the ethical
purposes, such as repression of political opponents hygiene of a society (Ogbunwezeh, 2005). Corruption
and general police brutality, is not considered political is a worldwide phenomenon, but prominent in countries
corruption. Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, of the third world, particularly in Africa. Johnston and
extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft, and Rose-Ackerman (1997) pointed out that the wide spread
embezzlement. While corruption may facilitate criminal of corruption is a symptom of a poorly functioning state,
enterprise such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and and a poorly functioning state can undermine economic
human tracking, it is not restricted to these activities. The growth. Where corruption is situated in the structural
activities that constitute illegal corruption differ depending nature of any society, countries with extensive natural
on the country or jurisdiction. For instance, certain resources may fail to develop in a way that benefits
political funding practices that are legal in one place may ordinary citizens (Edewor and Sokefun, 2002).
be illegal in another. In some cases, government officials In Nigeria, corruption kick-starts a process of
have broad or poorly defined powers, which make it social decadence by enthroning the reign of rogues and
difficult to distinguish between legal and illegal actions. unvarnished dishonesty. It allows ethical recklessness,
Worldwide, bribery alone is estimated to involve 1 trillion and invites a normative chaos, that erodes every social
US dollars annually. A state of unrestrained political value. In addition, corruption is ‘ behavior which deviates
corruption is known as a kleptocracy, literally meaning from the formal duties of a public role, because of
“rule by thieves”. private-regarding (close family, personal, private clique)
pecuniary or status gains; or violates rules against the
exercise of certain types private-regarding influence’
1. LITERATURE REVIEW (Nye, 1967:417). This definition includes such behavior
Different scholars from social sciences, such as; as bribery (use of a reward to pervert the judgment of
psychology, political science, Economics andreligious a person in a position of trust); nepotism (bestowal of
studies have attempted a working definition for corruption patronage by reason of ascriptive relationship rather than
from their various disciplines. However, all of the working merit); and misappropriation (illegal appropriation of
definitions are interwoven. The most relevant definition to public resources for private uses) [Banfield, 1961]. To
this paper is the one given by World Bank, Akindele (1995) the already crowded landscape, Osoba (1996) adds that
and Osoba (1998). The World Bank defines corruption as corruption is an anti-social behavior conferring improper
the abuse of public office for private gain. benefits contrary to legal and moral norms, and which
Akindele (1995) defines it as any form of reciprocal undermine the authorities to improve the living conditions
behavior or transaction where both the power/office holder of the people.
can respectively initiate the inducement of each other However, attempts to identify corruption with specific
by some rewards to grant (illegal) preferential treatment legal or moral offences are unlikely to succeed. Perhaps
or favour against the principles and interest of specific the most plausible candidate is bribery: bribery is
organization (or public) within the society. Overall, regarded by some as the quintessential form of corruption
corruption covers such acts as: a) use of one’s office (Noonan, 1984; Pritchard, 1998). What of nepotism?
for pecuniary advantage, b) gratification, c) influence Surely it is also a paradigmatic form of corruption, and
peddling, insincerity in advice with the aim of gaining one that is conceptually distinct from bribery. The person
advantage, d) less than a full day’s work for a full day’s who accepts a bribe is understood as being required

89 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture

An Assessment of Corruption in the Public Sector in Nigeria: A
Study of Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State

to provide a benefit to the briber, otherwise it is not a gifts. When the children grow up, corruption becomes part
bribe; but the person who is the beneficiary of an act of of their daily life.
nepotism is not necessarily understood as being required It is very easy to talk about corruption, but like
to return the favour. many other complex phenomena, it is difficult to define
In fact, corruption is exemplified by a very wide and corruption in concise and concrete terms. Not surprising,
diverse array of phenomena of which political corruption there is often a consensus as to what exactly constitutes
is also one of its kinds. Political corruption is the abuse this concept. There is always a danger as well that several
of entrusted power by political leaders for private gain, people may engage in a discussion about corruption
with the objective of increasing power or wealth (Imohe, while each is talking about a different thing completely.
2005). Political corruption need not involve money But in recent years there is a body of theoretical and
changing hands; it may take the form of ‘trading in empirical research on corruption (such as: Elliot 1997;
influence’ or granting favours that poison politics and Rose-Ackerman 1999; Gill 1998; Girling 1997; Human
threaten democracy. It occurs when the politicians and Development Cooperation (HDC) 1999; Kaufmann &
political decision-makers, who are entitled to formulate, Sachs 1998; Mauro 1995; Guhan & Paul, 1997; Shleifer
establish and implement the laws in the name of the & Vishnay, 1993; Stapenhurst & Kpundeh, 1999; Vittal,
people, are themselves corrupt. It also takes place when 1999; World Bank 1997 and the most recently, Farida &
policy formulation and legislation is tailored to benefit Ahmadi-Esfahani, 2007).
politicians and legislators. To avoid the confusion of definition of corruption,
Political corruption in Nigeria encompasses the use this paper gives an operational definition of corruption
of official power and government resources for sordid as conceptualized by some studies. Corruption is like
and disreputable private gains. Political corruption is not cancer, retarding economic development. According
a recent phenomenon that pervades the Nigerian State: to Eigen (2001) corruption is seen as a “daunting
since the creation of modern public administration in obstacle to sustainable development”, a constraint on
the country, there have been cases of official misuse of education, health care and poverty alleviation, and a great
resources for personal enrichment (Osoba, 1996). A nation impediment to the Millennium Development Goal of
that allows itself the extravagant luxury of entertaining reducing by half the number of people living in extreme
corruption unwittingly commissions the debauchery of its poverty by 2015.
social structures. Corruption empowers, patronizes, and The World Bank defines corruption as the abuse of
encourages the forces of social retrogression, handing public office for private gains. Public office is abused
them an unmerited leeway to wreak havoc on the society. through rent seeking activities for private gain when an
It becomes inducted into the social mainstream, when official accepts, solicits, or extorts a bribe. Public office
the whole society timidly smiles at impunity; tolerates is also abused when private agents actively offer bribes to
unmerited stations; glorifies the success or triumph of circumvent public policies and processes for competitive
dishonesty; permits the diffusion of double standards; advantage and profit. Public office can also be abused
celebrates indiscipline; and encourages the ostentatious for personal benefit even if no bribery occurs, through
arrogance of unearned privileged (Ogbunwezeh, 2005). patronage and nepotism, the theft of state assets or the
To this end, every society that desires progress must diversion of state resources (World Bank, 1997). A public
do ceaseless battle with the constant attempt of negative official is corrupt if he accepts money for doing something
forces to bring the social structure under its Inglorious that he is under duty to do or that he is under duty not to
dominance. This is because corruption as a disintegrative do. Corruption is a betrayal of trust resulting directly or
social factor often prevents social, political and economic indirectly from the subordination of public goals to those
development of a nation, just as poverty works against of the individual. Thus a person who engages in nepotism
enduring democracy. has committed an act of corruption by putting his family
Aluko (2002) notes that Corruption now appears to interests over those of the larger society (Gire, 1999).
have become a permanent feature of the Nigerian polity. It In Asian Development Bank perspectives of corruption
had become completely institutionalized, entered into the as cited by Agbu (2001), corruption is defined as the
realm of culture and the value-system; it is now a norm behaviour of public and private officers who improperly
and no longer an aberration. The young ones are born into and unlawfully enrich themselves and/or those closely
it, grow up in it, live with it, and possibly die in it. The related to them, or induce others to do so, by misusing the
aged are not left out as they are re-socialized and begin position in which they are placed. Systemic corruption
to conform to it. This observation by Aluko is quite true also referred to as entrenched corruption, occurs where
of the situation in Nigeria where corruption has become bribery (money in cash or in kind) is taken or given in a
endemic. The effect is noticed everywhere. The family is corrupt relationship. These include kickbacks, pay-off,
not left out. When parent sends their wards on errand the sweeteners, greasing palms, etc) on a large or small scale.
children will expect some gratification from the parent It is regularly experienced when a license or a service is
and some unsuspecting parent gratifying their wards with sought from government officials. It differs from petty

Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture 90

 Osimen, Goddy Uwa; Adenegan, Taiwo Samuel; Balogun, Akinyemi (2013).
Canadian Social Science, 9 (5), 87-97

corruption in that it is not as individualized. Systemic prebendal nature of Nigeria system in time of its patron-
corruption is apparent whenever the administration itself client or identity politics further allows corruption to
transposes the expected purposes of the organizations; thrive, undermine and thereby, stagnate the development
forcing participants to follow what otherwise would of Nigerian society. Thus theory contends that corruption
be termed unacceptable ways and punishing those who in Nigeria is purely an elite and political office holder. It
resist and try to live up to the formal norms (International argues that people who engage in crime in such society
Center for Economic Growth, 1999). is not to amass wealth but only a force reaction to the
In an elaborate analysis, Alatas (1990) divided corrupt practices of the ruling class and as a means of
corruption into seven distinct types: autogenic, defensive, barely keeping alive in the face of the ostentatious display
extortive, investive, nepotistic, supportive, and transitive. of ill-gotten wealth of the ruling class. For example, Karl
Autogenic corruption is self-generating and typically Marx, leader of materialist approach argue that rather than
involves only the perpetrator. A good example would people’s consciousness determining their well-being, it
be what happens in cases of insider trading. A person is the way society organized the production, distribution
learns of some vital information that may influence and exchange of goods and services that determine their
stocks in a company and either quickly buys or gets material condition.
rid of large amounts of stocks before the consequences The aforementioned theory is very significant because
arising from this information come to pass. Defensive it has actually provided adequate explanation for the
corruption involves situations where a person needing a corruption habit of Nigeria office holders.
critical service is compelled to bribe in order to prevent
unpleasant consequences being inflicted on his interests.
For instance, a person who wants to travel abroad within a 2. RESEARCH METHOD
certain time frame needs a passport in order to undertake
2.1 Material
the journey but is made to pay bribes or forfeit the trip.
Source of information for this research was mainly
This personal corruption is in self-defense. Extortive
through the use of questionnaire, journals, library books
corruption is the behavior of a person demanding personal
and the internet materials; Stationeries (Record books,
compensation in exchange for services. Invective
Pencils, Biros)
corruption entails the offer of goods or services without
a direct link to any particular favor at the present, but in 2.2 Methodology
anticipation of future situations when the favor may be Methodology is an integral part of any research work
required. Nepotistic corruption refers to the preferential which describes various materials and methods to
treatment of, or unjustified appointment of friends or carry out the research work, which include the targeted
relations to public office, in violation of the accepted population, data analysis, study designed, and study
guidelines. The supportive type usually does not involve area.
money or immediate gains, but involves actions taken to
protect or strengthen the existing corruption. For example, 2.3 Study Area
a corrupt regime or official may try to prevent the election The study was carried out in Akure-south local
or appointment of an honest person or government for government, Ondo state of Nigeria. Ondo state is located
fear that the individual or the regime might be probed by in the topical forest Zone. The state has eighteen (18) local
the successor(s). Finally, transitive corruption refers to government areas (LGAs) each with several communities
situations where the two parties are mutual and willing and villages. The capital of Ondo state is located in Akure,
participants in the corrupt practice to the advantage of Subsistence agriculture is the mainstay of livelihood of
both parties. For example, a corrupt businessperson may the inhabitant of the state.
willingly bribe a corrupt government official in order to Ondo state is located in the South West Region of
win a tender for a certain contract. Nigeria on latitude 70 101 North and longitude 50 051 East
bisect the state into four nearly equal part. The state now
Theoretical Framework covers a total of 15,500 square kilometer of landmass.
The theory that best explain corruption in Nigeria is the It is bounded partly by Atlantic Ocean in the South,
theory of Prebendalism as postulated by Richard (1996) Kogi State and Ekiti State (fountain of knowledge) in
which described the nature of Patron-Client relationship the North. To the west, is bounded partly by Osun state
in Nigeria. According to theory “state offices are regarded (State of living spring) and Ogun state, while in the east
as prebends that can be appropriated by office holder who is bounded by Edo State and partly Delta State. The
use them to generate material benefit for themselves and topography of the state is on gentle rolling lowland in
their constituent and kin groups”. In Nigeria, prebendal the South, rising to a plateau 40 meters and above in the
politics is the order of the day being displayed by political North. The state is well drained with rivers flowing from
office holders. Thus, corruption is regularly be perpetrated the upland in the North/South direction. The vegetation
at will and the society at the receiving end. Inevitably, the pattern of the State is that of rainforest in the south and

91 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture

An Assessment of Corruption in the Public Sector in Nigeria: A
Study of Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State

guinea savannah to the North. Thick forest gives to 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
grassland interspersed with trees in the North. As shown
in Figure 1 and 2 below. 3.1 Socio-Economics Characteristics of the
Respondent
Socio-economic characteristics of the respondent in the
study are presented in the tables below.
3.1.1 Age
From the below Table 1. It is shown that 21.3% of the
respondent are under 25 years of age, 42.6% of the
respondent are between 25- 34 years, 25.5% of the
respondent are between 35-44 years while just 10.6%
of the respondent are between 45-55 years. It can be
deduced that 25-34 years are more interested in corruption
in public sector compared to other ages because it falls
Figure 1
Showing the Map of Nigeria and the Study Location between work class ages.
Source: Obage N.G, Geology of Nigeria, 2009, pp.3.
Table 1
Distribution of Respondents by Age
Age Frequency Percentage
u - 25 10 21.3%
25-34 20 42.6%
35-44 12 25.5%
45-54 5 10.6%

Total 47 100%
Legend Source: Field survey data, 2013
Study Area (Akure)
Figure 2 Age
Showing the Map of the Ondo State (Akure south local
government area)
Source: (www. [Link]/Ondo State) 45-54
35-44
2.4 Target Population 25-34
The targeted populations for this study was from teen to u - 25
the adult and also cover all sectors in Akure south Local
0 5 10 15 20
Government, Akure, Ondo state.
Figure 3
2.5 Study Design Showing the Respondent’s Age
Multistage sampling was used to draw sample size.
3.1.2 Education
Akuresouth is divided into four districts namely,
Table 2 shows the educational qualification of the
Alagbaka/NEPA /Ijapo area, Oyemekun/ Oba-Adesida respondents. The educational qualifications vary from
area, Futa/ Road block area and Ondo road/ Oke-Aro SSCE to NCE/OND, [Link]./ B.A, MSc, Ph.D. Analysis
area. These areas were purposively selected for this study. shows that most have educational qualification of [Link]/
All sectors were put into consideration in Akure south B.A (51%) while others have SSCE, NCE/OND, MSC
Local government; the questionnaires were purposively and Ph.D. which are 9%, 10%, 6.4%, 2.1% respectively.
selected by using random sampling method. Respondent
Table 2
were also acquainted with the aim of the study and a Distribution of Respondents by Educational
well-structured questionnaire was used to obtained Qualification
information from them (Appendix). Education Frequency Percentage
SSCE 9 19.1%
2.6 Analysis of Data NCE/OND 10 21.3%
The data gathered from this study was subjected to [Link]./BA 24 51.1%
descriptive statistical tools. MSC 3 6.4%
Descriptive statistics: The descriptive used in PHD 1 2.1%
presenting this data include frequency distribution, Total 47 100%
percentage, charts, and mean. Source: Field Survey Data, 2013

Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture 92

 Osimen, Goddy Uwa; Adenegan, Taiwo Samuel; Balogun, Akinyemi (2013).
Canadian Social Science, 9 (5), 87-97

Table 4
Distribution of Respondents by Religion
Religion Frequency Percentage
Christianity 42 89.3%
Islam 3 6.4%
Traditional 2 4.3%
Total 47 100
Source: Field survey data, 2013

Figure 4
Showing the Distribution of Respondents by
Educational Qualification

3.1.3 Occupation
Table 3 shows the occupation of the respondents. The
occupations vary from civil service to driving, farming,
trading, combination of trading and civil service and
others
Analysis shows that majority(53.2%)of the respondent
are civil servant, trading were found to be 17.0%, for Figure 6
those engaged in farming were 0%,driving 0%,while Showing the Distribution of Respondents by Religion
others were 29.8%. which indicate that the environment
study is a civil state. Most are employed by the state or 3.1.5 Corruption Measurement
federal government. Can corruption be measured?
From Table 5 below, 63.6% are of the opinion that
corruption can be measured while 36.2% are of the
Table 3
Distribution of Respondents by Occupation opinion that corruption can’t be measured. This indicated
that people’s opinion are based on environmental factors
Occupation Frequency Percentage
Farming 0 0
Table 5
Trading 8 17.0% Can Corruption Be Measured?
Civil Servant 25 53.2% Can corruption be measured
Driving 0 0 Yes 30 63.6%
Others 14 29.8% No 17 36.2%
Total 47 100%
Total 47 100
Source: Field survey data, 2013
Source: Field Survey Data, 2013

Figure 7
Showing Respondent Opinion to Measurement of
Corruption
Figure 5
Showing the Distribution of Respondents by their 3.1.6 Attitude towards corruption
Occupation
From Table 6 below, 73.1% are of the opinion that
3.1.4 Religion corruption is very bad, 19.2% are of the opinion that
From Table 4. It showed all the participated religion. corruption is good while just 7.7% believed that
corruption is fair. Which indicate that majority of the
89.3%, 6.4%, 4.3% are Christianity, Islam and traditional
respondent believed that corruption is bad.
respectively.

93 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture

An Assessment of Corruption in the Public Sector in Nigeria: A
Study of Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State

Table 6 Table 7
Respondent Attitude Towards Corruption Which Sector Boast Most Cases of Corruption
Boast most cases of corruption Frequency Percentage
Attitude towards corruption
Judicial 13 27.7%
Too bad 19 73.1% Police 12 25.5%
Health 6 12.8%
Fair 2 7.7% Custom 4 8.5%
Education 3 6.4%
Good 5 19.2% Energy 4 8.5%
Agriculture 0 0
26 100
Local Government 5 10.6%
Source: Field survey data, 2013 Total 47 100
Source: Field Survey Data, 2013

Figure 9
Showing the Sector that Boast Cases of Corruption

3.1.8 Causes of Corruption

Figure 8
Showing Respondent Attitude Towards Corruption

3.1.7 Most Corrupt Sector

From Table 7 below, the judicial sector is opined to be
the most corrupt with 27.7%, followed by the police
25.5%, health 12.8%, custom and Energy 8.5%, while
the Education and Local government are 6.4% and
10.6% respectively. Which indicate that all sectors
are involve in the corruption in the society except the Figure 10
agricultural sector. Showing the Causes of Corruption

Table 8
Causes of Corruption
Causes of corruption SA A SD D Total SA A SD D Total
Lack of transparency 26 12 0 1 39 66.7% 30.8% 0 2.5% 100
Poor Salaries 13 17 3 12 45 28.9% 37.8% 6.7% 26.6% 100
Laxity of Ethical Standard 13 18 5 9 45 28.9% 40% 11.1% 20% 100
Moral Laxity 22 18 6 1 47 46.8% 38.3% 12.8% 2.1% 100
Lack of Economic opp. 14 19 4 8 45 31.1% 42.2% 8.9% 17.8% 100
Attitude of officials/Discipline 26 16 0 4 46 56.6% 34.8% 0 8.7% 100
Ineffective political process 25 11 5 6 47 53.2% 23.4% 10.6% 12.8% 100
Poverty and Unemployment 20 11 2 13 46 43.5% 23.9% 4.3% 28.3% 100
Culture and acceptance of corruption 18 16 6 6 46 39.2% 34.8% 13% 13% 100
Source: Field Survey Data, 2013

From the Table 8 below, respondent are of the the major causes of corruption in our society which
opinion that the lack of transparency of our government are strongly agreed by the respondent while others
(66.7%), attitude of official/discipline (56.6%), moral are agreed but are not the major causes of public
laxity (46.8%), poverty and unemploment (43.5%) are corruption.

Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture 94

 Osimen, Goddy Uwa; Adenegan, Taiwo Samuel; Balogun, Akinyemi (2013).
Canadian Social Science, 9 (5), 87-97

3.1.9 Effect of Corruption in Nigeria

Table 9
Effect of Corruption in Our Society
Effect of corruption SA A SD D Total SA A SD D Total
Reduction In public
13 12 6 10 41 31.70% 29.30% 14.60% 24.40% 100.00%
Spending on Edu.
Easy fraud on Large
16 15 4 7 42 38.10% 35.70% 9.50% 16.70% 100.00%
project
Poor state of
12 22 3 5 42 28.60% 52.40% 7.10% 11.90% 100.00%
infrastructure and road
Amassing wealth and
14 17 6 3 40 35% 42.50% 15% 7.50% 100.00%
porverty
Reduction in quality of
12 20 3 5 40 30% 50% 7.50% 12.50% 100.00%
goods and ser.
economic growth 10 18 9 6 43 23.30% 41.90% 20.90% 14.00% 100.00%
waste skills 11 17 3 6 37 29.70% 45.90% 8.20% 16.20% 100.00%
Late payment of salaries 14 12 6 10 42 33.30% 28.60% 14.30% 23.80% 100.00%
increase porverty 20 13 6 3 42 47.60% 31.00% 14.30% 7.10% 100.00%
Distrupt Government
16 14 5 5 40 40% 35% 12.50% 12.50% 100.00%
structure
Source: Field Survey Data, 2013

CONCLUSION legislative branch of government in Nigeria then we' will

see that the majority of the Law makers of are powerful
We have seen that high levels of corruption have very
businessmen and they were elected by bribing people and
harmful effects on economic and political development
getting into the parliament their goal is of course not to
as in other countries. Corruption is deeply rooted in
serve for the public good but for their personal advantage
our society. Indeed, it is coming from the soviet times,
by paying less tax, creating new businesses etc. People
when people had no power and the government decided
taking some little amount of money for electing those
everything. So people during the past seven decades
deputies they will have to pay much more in the future
learned not to make any decision. People lost their ability
because of the above mentioned factors. So one of the
to think and make decisions for themselves. But the
important factors combating corruption in Nigeria is
democratic system is not something that gives everyone
to pay attention to free and fair elections, to be able to
everything that they want, but it demands the participation elect credible leaders. Therefore, we must build strong
of everyone; people should fight for their well-being institution that can match the war against corrupt public
themselves. They should learn the ways to control the office holder.
government. Yes I stress the fair and free elections because Second, Nigerian government and its people must
if people sell their power of electing they will lose their take a cue from the policy measures of transparency
power to demand anything from the elected officials. international on how to combat corruption. According
For controlling corruption is very important consolidated to Transparency International (2002) “Government need
democratic institutions especially free and fair elections, to integrate anti-corruption actions into all aspects of
people should understand that this is the basic decision decision-making. They must prioritize better rules on
they may make. So the democratic institutions are very lobbying and political financing make public spending
important for combating corruption. Only by having and contracting more transparent and make public bodies
established democratic institutions we may win the fight more accountable”.
against corruption. Third, the other precondition is awareness of people,
about why corruption constitutes a problem in society
about why free and fair elections are important for having
RECOMMENDATIONS welfare and prosperous country. According to many
Our major recommendations are as follow: scholars it is one of the most effective ways in long run
First, the institutions of government established to reducing corruption. Thus it is generally accepted that
fight corruption must be strengthened, properly funded corruption is controlled only when citizens no longer
and must be up to task to be able to withstand the mandate tolerate it.
at which they are created to serve. If we look at the Finally, another precondition for combating corruption

95 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture

An Assessment of Corruption in the Public Sector in Nigeria: A
Study of Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State

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Nigeria in Sophia. An African Journal of Philosophy, 9(1).
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