At least 44% of all public service jobs engaged in Nigeria in 2023 have been secured through bribery, nepotism or a combination of the two, a study reveals.
In a joint report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), revealed a rise in corruption in Nigeria’s public sector recruitment process.
The study found that there was 6% increase in securing positions in public service through corrupt means in 2023 compared to 38% in 2019.
WikkiTimes reports that public officials have taken a whopping sum of N721 billion bribe from Nigerians in 2023. The report cited judges/magistrates, security agents, land officials and police officers as top in exploitation.
Relevant Qualifications
The report also indicates that only 37% of applicants in the last three years had relevant professional or educational qualifications and underwent a written test or oral interview. This implies 2% decrease in employing people with relevant qualifications in 2023 from 39% in 2019.
The data indicates that over one-third of public sector recruits have resorted to corrupt practices, viewing it as their only alternative.
“Nevertheless, the share of successful applicants who reported having neither the expertise nor having done a test or interview increased from 38 per cent in 2019 to 44 per cent in 2023.
“An examination of the recruitment process through the 2023 survey reveals that 37 per cent of successful applicants in the three years prior to the survey reported having the relevant professional or educational background, as well as undergoing a written test or oral interview, similar to the 2019 survey (39%).
Officials Take N721 Billion Bribe from Nigerians in 2023 as Corruption Persists
Candidates often feel compelled to pay bribes to secure jobs, seen as stable and lucrative in a country with high unemployment rates. This corrupt practice is widespread across various government departments and levels of administration, not confined to any specific region or sector.
It’s Higher than 44% – Analyst
However, Comrade Mohammed Ishaq, an analyst, argued that the reported figure does not fully capture the extent of corruption prevalent across various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Ishaq argued that bribery and nepotism account for 95% of employment decisions, stating, “Visit major sectors, ministries, or agencies and ask when they last publicized a genuine job advertisement.
“At institutions like CBN, NNPC, Customs, etc, it’s now the norm that job slots are no longer sold due to their high cost. Jobs are secured through connections or specific agreements between the applicant and the job provider.”
He further contended,”This discourages applicants from applying unless they have someone to help them. Many successful candidates neither take exams nor follow the stipulated guidelines, yet they are ultimately selected.”
Nepotism
The report cited nepotism as another factor in public-sector recruitment with many candidates selected based on their connections rather than their qualifications, undermining meritocracy and fostering an environment where corruption thrives.
Qualified individuals are discouraged from applying for public sector jobs, knowing their chances of success are slim without the right connections, thus eroding public trust in government institutions.
Analysts argue that nepotism perpetuates a cycle of incompetence and inefficiency within the public sector. When individuals are hired based on who they know rather than what they can offer, it leads to a workforce lacking the necessary skills and expertise to perform effectively.
The Cost of Corruption
The impact of corruption in public sector recruitment extends beyond the immediate financial cost of bribes – it has consequences for governance and development.
When unqualified individuals occupy key positions, it results in poor decision-making, inefficiency, and a lack of accountability. Public resources are mismanaged, and critical services such as healthcare, education, security, and infrastructure suffer, according to Comrade Ishaq. “This is the same process in police recruitment, Immigration, etc., and how can we expect them fight bandits?”
Moreover, corruption in recruitment damages the morale of dedicated public servants who adhere to ethical standards and creates a culture where integrity is sidelined, and dishonest practices become the norm.
This environment where corruption strives also discourages talented professionals from pursuing careers in the public sector, further depriving the country to benefit from their talents.
Despite the government’s efforts to combat corruption through anti-graft agencies and policies, the effectiveness of these measures is often questioned.
The NBS/UNODC report indicates that public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts is waning. For instance, the survey discovered that in 2023, less than one-third of citizens believed the government was effective in fighting corruption.
High-profile corruption cases involving senior officials and politicians continue to surface, reinforcing the perception that the fight against corruption is more rhetoric than reality.
The public’s skepticism is further fueled by the slow pace of judicial proceedings and the lack of convictions in many corruption cases.
The report, thus, called for strengthening anti-corruption agencies and ensuring their independence through adequate funding and engaging individuals of integrity.
It added that implementing strict merit-based selection criteria and ensuring that recruitment panels are independent can help reduce the influence of bribery and nepotism.