The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC says, fighting corruption through Social Norms and Behaviour Change will significantly counter social vices that fuel corruption in the country.
The Chairman of ICPC Professor, Bolaji Owasanoye expressed concern over the deteriorated state of social values and norms saying they have become threatened.
It identified the emergence and pervasive spread of corruption-inducing social norms across all ethnicities and religious divides as critical factors inducing the problems.
He noted that a survey conducted by the Anti-corruption Academy of Nigeria ACAN and the ICPC in the year 2020 indicates that, Corruption is fueled by community expectations of people in the office.
“Corruption among public servants is enabled by community ambivalence towards the proceeds of corruption. For example, as high as 69% of the public servants surveyed indicated that their community would accept monetary gifts above their annual salary without questioning the source of the money.”
“There is for example a general belief that groups, networks and communities expect the holder of an office to confer benefits from (or of) the office on members of the community regardless of whether (a) the benefits are corrupt practices in themselves (e.g., nepotism), or (b) if the benefits come from proceeds of corruption (e.g., embezzlement). Also, there is the common expectation that people in high office should donate huge sums of money at public functions,“ the ICPC Chairman added.
Owasanoye told the stakeholders that, over the years, the law and order approach to combating corruption has dominated the activities of the anti-corruption agencies.
He stressed the need to complement the strategy achieved with the desired behaviour change in both the government and society.
Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio in a message through his Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Saviour Enyiekere, stressed the need to use behavioural Change as a tool to tackle the menace of corruption and failing social values in Nigeria.
In his words, “Nigeria is not lacking in legal frameworks and the 10” Senate under him is positioned to bridge any existing legislative gaps in the fight against corruption.
“AS we know, fighting corruption is a complex and multifaceted challenge. However, we must keep harping on the need to fight it and also, point out strategies that will help out the country to give the fight all the push that it deserves,“ the Debate President said.
Also, the speaker House of Representatives Mr. Tajuddeen Abbas represented by Mr. Busayo Olawale-Oke believes that curbing corruption through behavioural change is possible.
He said the house is interested in the review of workers’ salaries as doing so will help reduce the tendencies of corruption by workers.
The President Nigerian Bar Association Barrister Yakubu Maikyau promised not to spare anything in bringing support to the fight against corruption.
Also, the African Regional Director of McArthur Foundation Mr Kole Shetima expressed more commitment to supporting ICPC’S Anti-corruption drive.
The Emir of Keffi Dr. Shegu Yamusa, believes that transparent leadership and adequate oversight will help in fighting corruption in Nigeria.
A paper was presented, “Corruption, Social Norms and Behaviour Change in Nigeria,” by Professor Toyin Falola of the Department of History University of Texas USA.
