CORRUPTION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: AN OVERVIEW OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA CIVIL SERVICE

Abstract

Corruption has eaten deep in to the system of civil service in Nigeria, the high rate of
corruption is bedeviling socio-political and economic development of the country. The
Nigerian civil service is faced with serious corruption challenges in the way and manner in
which they operate weakening the entire system of public sector. This study has explored
the nature of corruption embedded in the civil service that impedes decent due process
and mode of operation in Nigeria. However, the study is premised on institutional and
Game theory of corruption to explain and analyses the findings. The research concludes
that lack of transparency, red-tapism favoritism; nepotism motivation, orientation, weak
government institutions, ethno-religious crisis and inability of the government to strictly
enforce policies on corruption are the cause of corruption in the civil service. This
researcher adopted qualitative research approach and descriptive designed and data
was gathered through secondary sources from related academic journals, textbooks,
conference papers and the internet. The study recommends that government should
strengthen the existing anti-corruption law, enforcement and prosecution process, ensure
that offenders get commensurate punishment and should take urgent steps to reduce
poverty, civil servants welfare, motivation and reorientation should prioritized.
Recruitment should be based on merits, professionalism.