Challenges and prospects of anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria, 2015-2020

Abstract

The paper examined the challenges and prospects of anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria in the period 2015-2020. The efforts to rid the nation of corrupt practices has historically been challenged by systemic forces that do not want an end to it. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on fulfilling campaign promise of tackling corruption, but in spite of some gains, the government’s zeal is waning in the anti-corruption war due to the resolute nature of corruption perpetrators. The paper utilized secondary data and content analysis as its methodology. The paper is anchored on Ostrom (1998) Collective Action
Theory of Corruption. The theory emphasizes that the entrenched level of corruption makes it a normal way of life in the society, and which makes it difficult for anti-corruption agencies to eradicate the menace. The paper found out that top civil servants and political office holders defy anti-corruption laws to amass wealth for aggrandizement. The paper recommends stiff penalties such as death by hanging and life imprisonment for offenders as measures to rid the nation of corrupt practices.