CORRUPTION AS A CATALYST OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIAN

Abstract

Corruption as a catalyst of insecurity in Nigeria examined the nexus between corruption and insecurity using Nigerian experience. The paper established that in spite of the efforts made by government to reduce the increasing incidence of corruption and insecurity, little or no achievement have been made. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the level of corruption and insecurity in Nigeria. The study adopted public choice theory and frustration aggression theory to explain the high incidence of corruption and insecurity in Nigeria. The research design was content analysis of secondary data from transparency international for data on corruption and Mo Ibrahim Foundation for data on insecurity. These were presented in tables and analyzed using percentage and average. The Pearson Correlation coefficient was used to test the hypothesis. The study confirmed a high incidence of corruption and high incidence of insecurity in Nigeria and found out that light punishment, delay in dispensation of justice and poor public sector wages were among the causes of high incidence of corruption in Nigeria. The hypothesis tested revealed a negative and insignificant relationship between corruption and insecurity in Nigeria (-.206) and with 56.9% level of significance which is greater than 5%. The study concludes that the high level of corruption is not responsible for the high incidence of insecurity in Nigeria. However, since corruption is known to have negative multiplier effect, there is need to reform the judicial system in order to guarantee speedy dispensation of justice, increase public sector wages and salaries among other things. In addition, since the study could not established that corruption is one of the factors responsible for insecurity, there is need for government at various level to be responsible and responsive to the needs of the citizens. There is need for government to intensify efforts to eliminate poverty and unemployment which is another known cause of insecurity in Nigeria by improving the quality of governance.