Corruption in Nigeria: A consequence of distorted value system

Abstract

There is abundant evidence in extant literatures which have documented the endemic nature of corruption and its devastating effects on the Nigerian socio political structures. The colossal corruptions have resulted in the loss of the capacity to function. The structure of the Nigerian nation, as it is presently structured cannot evolve or at best maintain a sustainable development, unless we evolve a new order. The survival of Nigeria as an entity given the worsening/deplorable socio-political crisis depends, to a large extent, on the capacity of all citizens as stakeholders to evolve the Nigerian value system. The value-system must be agreed, accepted, and binding on all, devoid of any form of prebendalisation in our attempt to combating the depredation of corruption and be free from the usual false piety paid to issue(s) that have threatened our chequered national history. The authors in this paper presented a psychological analysis to explain the incidence and persistence of corruption and consequently viewed corruption as a consequence of distorted value-system. Against this backdrop, the authors in this paper recommend punitive measures to stem the damaging effects of corruption, Nigerians must also unite for the nation to attain a sustainable level of development, the authors concluded that there is an urgent need by all to embrace value-reorientation.

Keywords: corruption, corruption and values, value-systems, distorted value systems, corruption in Nigeria