Anti-corruption in Nigeria: accepting the constraints and moving forwards
Briefing from the Anti Corruption Evidence (ACE) programme
Abstract
The anti-corruption efforts of the Buhari administration should be lauded, but they should also be made more strategic and targeted. Anti-corruption reforms that do not take into account the political settlement are likely to be met with resistance and failure. For example, expecting reforms in sectors with deeply vested political interests, like oil and gas, to succeed quickly would be overly optimistic. Centralising anti-corruption efforts is also unlikely to work given that much of Nigeria’s politics is regional and state-level. Indeed, centralising could actually rebound as powerful state governors push back. Most anti-corruption efforts, therefore, have to be focused at the state-level or lower.
Additionally, anti-corruption efforts that target redistributive violence need to consider the socio-cultural divisions that politicians frequently leverage to mobilise support. The best way to ensure policy success is to identify opportunities for strategic and incremental changes that are supported by powerful players in particular sectors who view reforms as being in their own interest. Importantly, reforms should contribute to productivity growth, which by definition reduces corruption by increasing development outcomes. Every country has sectors and pockets of productivity where entrepreneurs will welcome reform because reducing corruption will help them be more profitable. This is particularly likely if they are already close to achieving competitiveness. In turn, activities resulting in greater productivity shift the power balance in favour of these productive groups, who may then create pressure for more systematic anti-corruption efforts.
This is an output from the ‘Anti Corruption Evidence (ACE)’ programme which is funded by the UK Department for International Development.
Citation
ACE research consortium. 2017. Anti-corruption in Nigeria: accepting the constraints and moving forwards. Briefing Paper 002.
Links
Anti-corruption in Nigeria: accepting the constraints and moving forwards