Corruption is one of Nigeria’s most critical but least understood governance challenges. Successive reports released by Transparency International since 2000 have placed Nigeria in the top 40 of the world’s most corrupt countries, affecting public finances, business investment and our standard of living.
Nigeria has sought to tackle corruption by focusing on legal and institutional measures - including reform of public procurement and public finance management, enactment of anti-corruption laws and the establishment of various anti-corruption agencies tasked with investigating and punishing incidents of corruption. This focus on strengthening institutions and imposing tougher sanctions is critical. But innovative and complimentary efforts are required to shift cultural attitudes to corruption at all levels of society.
Executive Secretary, NHRC
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Country Director, Global Rights
Mr. Richmond Iheme, NHRC, Mr. Amara Nwankpa, Yar’Adua Foundation, Ms. Osai Ojigho, Amnesty International