Nigeria remains underdeveloped because of corruption despite all the resources it has, and corruption still leads the way both in schools, churches, and other institutes. The impact of bad leadership is one factor that leads to corruption. People are structurally and fractionally unemployed and those who get jobs are constantly under paid. During the colonial period, Nigeria craved for freedom, and when freedom was eventually achieved, Nigeria became a country known for corruption and misrule. The leaders of Nigeria, civil servants have access to the national wealth (Achebe)
In an attempt to get quick money or survive, people get involved in all forms of corruption. For example: an average Nigeria who cannot afford two square meals a day would be driven to steal or easily get involved in stealing and dishonest acts out of desperation. The Nigerian government is not transparent. Therefore, politicians can easily get away with looting without being held accountable. The populace does not monitor most government officials closely. For this reason, politicians can comfortably embezzle funds or transfer these funds to their accounts without the knowledge of anyone. This crime of stealing national funds is one of the factors making it difficult for Nigerians to have good success. Nigerians only are not the primary cause. We all know that the morally depraved faction of Nigeria have friends abroad who not only help transfer the billions, but also protect them from been persecuted (Achebe).
In addition to lack of transparency in the government, there is no strong punishment for corrupt government officials. That is to say there is no strong law enforcement agency set up to stop them, as the EFCC (Economic financial crimes commission) do not seem to be doing what they ought to. Corruption has gradually become an accepted practice in Nigeria. It has become culturally acceptable to collect bribes and use public office for private gains; one of the reason corruption cannot be curtailed in Nigeria. Corruption reduces economic development and increases poverty, as the money is not well distributed. In most of the poorest countries, population is increasing while income per person is decreasing, and the bad states of shantytowns are extending (Martin). However, if some of these fraudulent acts can be curbed, Nigeria will not remain a corrupt country.
The leaders of Nigeria are very selfish and cruel; they enter into businesses that make them rich at the expense of others. These practices have made the Gross Domestic Profit per head very low. Nigeria had a GDP-per capita of $2400 as at 2010, which is extremely low, compared to that of the united state, which was $47,000 at the same time (CIA). There is no time for frivolities, Nigerians should come together to work, develop and sustain a good democracy to help the country move forward. This much-admired democracy of the Americans was not achieved in a day; it took a long time with extreme devotion and efforts (Achebe).
In order to reduce corrupt practices, every individual and organization has a part to play. At organizational levels, the government should be more transparent and held accountable for every single action they take. A strong and efficient corruption institute should be put in place in order to administer deserving punishments to offenders. If decisive measures are not taken, Nigeria would be heading to a disastrous end of no return politically, economically and internationally( in the way Nigeria is been seen by other countries i.e her public image).ORINGAMJE NNEKA
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