TAMING THE MONSTER OF MICRO CORRUPTION IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF NIGERIA: CLEANING THE AUGEAN STABLES

Abstract

Nigeria, the acclaimed giant of Africa is naturally and heavily endowed with immensurable 
resources which include solid and liquid mineral resources, land and high population. Nigeria 
is a leading crude oil producer both in Africa and the world at large. Many developed and 
industrialized nations are not naturally endowed like Nigeria but unfortunately, the country is 
regarded as the poverty capital of the world. This regrettable status is attributable to the 
impact of the menace of corruption on the economy which is sucking and drinking the health 
of Nigeria because where corruption thrives, poverty and not prosperity thrives. Nigeria is 
stigmatized on account of corruption even at the international level. The Nigerian 
government has enacted some anti-corruption laws and established some anti-corruption 
agencies but the monster is still very strong because it has pervaded every fabric of the 
Nigerian society including the private and public sectors. In the public service, there is hardly 
any office where corruption is nonexistent in Nigeria. Given the widespread of the virus of 
corruption in Nigeria, although it is possible to win the battle against it when appropriate 
measures are taken; its complete eradication would be like cleaning the Augean stable. 
Consequently, this article sets out to examine corruption in Nigeria vis-à-vis the fight against 
it which seems non-holistic. The doctrinal methodology is adopted through the study of 
statutory provisions etcetera from where some inadequacies were identified and 
recommendations which if implemented would force corruption on its kneel were offered.