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Officials Take N721 Billion Bribe from Nigerians in 2023 as Corruption Persists

Public officials have taken a whopping sum of N721 billion bribe from Nigerians in 2023 as Nigerians continue to suffer from corruption, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said.

The NBS, in a joint survey with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) about corruption by public officials in Nigeria, reported that judges/magistrates, security agents land officials and police officers are top in exploiting Nigerians while discharging their responsibilities.

This amount which is equivalent to around 0.35% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was paid in an estimated 87 million instances within the period.

The analysis of the survey titled “Third Survey on Corruption as Experienced by the Population” detailed the current state of bribery and corruption in Nigeria. 

According to the survey, bribery and corruption remain significant issues in Nigeria, deeply embedded in various sectors of the country.

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“In 2023, there were an estimated 87 million instances of bribery. Given an average cash bribe size of NGN 8,284, resulted in approximately NGN 721 billion worth of bribes paid in the form of cash to public officials, which is equivalent to around 0.35 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria,” the report partly read.

It revealed that despite efforts to combat these vices, they continue to thrive, undermining economic growth, eroding trust in public institutions, and perpetuating inequality. 

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, continues to grapple with widespread corruption and bribery that undermine economic development, governance, and public trust, the report added. 

In Private Sector

The two bodies jointly stressed that bribery and corruption remain formidable challenges, deeply entrenched in Nigeria’s both public and private sectors.

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The survey reveals a pervasive culture of bribery within Nigeria’s public sector where over half of the Nigerian population reported contact with public officials in 2023, with 27% of these interactions involving bribes. This, however, suggests a slight decline from 29% in 2019, indicating marginal progress in reducing bribery.

Contact Rates with Public Officials

The survey further revealed that about 30% of the population made contact with healthcare professionals, 24% with public utility Officers and 20% with Police Officers.

“The 2023 survey data suggest that one out of two male police officers (46 per cent) engage in bribery when interacting with the public, while only one out of three female police officers (28 per cent) behave similarly.”

Urban residents reported higher contact rates (61%) compared to their rural counterparts (52%), reflecting greater interaction with public services in urban areas.

This also suggests that rural residents may face greater pressure or fewer alternatives when dealing with public officials.

The survey highlights variations in bribery prevalence among different public officials with police officers recording the highest bribery rate due to frequent public interaction followed by public utility officers with bribery rates linked to essential services. The healthcare professionals’ bribery rates, affect access to medical services.

Size of bribes paid to public officials

The average cash bribe paid in Nigeria in 2023 amounted to N 8,284. This average variation in the size of cash bribes paid by citizens can depend on factors, such as the reasons for which bribes are paid and the geographical area where bribes are paid.

Similarly, the report shows variations in the size of bribes paid by citizens according to the types of public officials who receive them. An average of N31,000 – the largest cash bribe – was paid to judges and magistrates, followed by customs or immigration service officers with N17,800 on average and members of the armed forces with N16,600.

By contrast, much smaller average amounts were paid to doctors, nurses and midwives (N6,000 average), public utility officers (N 4,600) and other health workers with N2,900 average.

Refusal to Pay Bribes

Encouragingly, the survey indicates a growing refusal to pay bribes whereas in 2023, 70% of Nigerians who were asked to pay a bribe refused at least once, up from previous years. 

This refusal rate was highest in the North-West zone at 76%, indicating regional variations in attitudes towards bribery.

Moral or Normative Concerns constitute 42% of reasons for the refusal to pay bribes. Alternative Ways to Achieve Desired Outcomes, 21%, and because of the Financial Constraints 23%.

The survey explained that the perception of bribery as an acceptable means to expedite administrative procedures has decreased from 29% in 2019 to 23% in 2023. 

Additionally, fewer citizens reported negative consequences after refusing bribes, indicating a shift towards resistance against corrupt practices.

Corruption in the Private Sector

While public-sector bribery remains prevalent, the survey notes an increase in bribery within the private sector. The prevalence of bribe payments to private sector actors rose from 6% in 2019 to 14% in 2023. 

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Despite this increase, public-sector bribery still occurs at approximately twice the rate of private-sector bribery. The contact rate with public sector officials is also about double that with private sector actors.

Gender and Socio-Demographic Dimensions

The survey’s Gender and Social Inclusion module reveals that corruption affects different population segments in varied ways. 

Women and persons with disabilities often face unique challenges and may be more vulnerable to corrupt practices due to societal and systemic biases.

Men rank higher overall contact rates with public officials, leading to more bribery instances, while women are more likely to experience bribery in healthcare and social services.

“When in contact with public officials, women are less likely to experience bribery than men. In 2023, 39% of all men who had contact with a public official either paid a bribe or were asked to do so but refused.

“The figure for women was significantly lower, at 28%. This overall difference in bribery exposure between genders is possibly driven by interactions with a few frequently contacted types of public official, in particular police officers,” the report read in part.

Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) encounter additional barriers and discrimination, making them more susceptible to bribery demands in accessing services.

The survey findings noted that despite efforts, corruption remains a concern for Nigerians, ranking fourth among the most pressing problems after the cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment. 

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Confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts has declined, with less than a third of citizens believing that the government is effective in fighting corruption in 2023, down from over half in 2019.

Recommendation

The report recommends strengthening institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Increasing public awareness, and utilizing digital tools and platforms to improve transparency and accountability in public administration. 

It also recommended implementing comprehensive legal and regulatory reforms to close loopholes and ensure stringent penalties for corrupt practices as well as developing strategies that consider the specific vulnerabilities of different demographic groups, particularly women and persons with disabilities.

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