Bureaucratic Corruption in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to examine how bureaucratic corruption has affected the performance of public leaders in the effective management of various public offices or’ sectors of the Nigerian economy especially the power sector which plays vital role in economy which has been bastardized, that sector had made to be in comatose.
This is as a result of abuse of ethnical code conduct by the leaders of top public offices and also abuse of policies. Other specific objectives to be investigated includes:
- To investigate the relationship that exists between bureaucracy and government.
- To discuss the role of Bureaucrats and leaders in corrupt practices.
- To look at corruption, implications in socio-economic development
- To understand the importance of good leadership in Nation-building through early implementation of policies.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Bureaucracy
The concept of bureaucracy has been subjected to repeated criticisms among scholars and ordinary citizens alike. The concept has been used as a synonym for inefficiency, red-tapism, stupidity, secrecy, smugness, aggressiveness and self-interest (Stillman, 1980) in Akindele (2002). Notwithstanding the above, Akindele (2002), observed that the concept is an ambiguous term which can be taken to mean different things. For example, it may be taken to mean different organizations used by modern government for the conduct of its various specialized functions, embodied in the administrative system and personified more specifically by the civil services. He added that it might also mean a mechanistic and formal approach in carrying out functions to the point of indifference towards the effects achieved. Also, Gerths &Wrights (1979), conceptualized bureaucracy as: a hierarchical management within organization based upon a line of authority and a division of work predicated upon this arrangement. To Gbenga & Lawal (2006), described the concept to denote the apparatus consisting of professionals, full time officials subject to hierarchical supervision and carrying out their functions in a well ordered way based on rules, regulations and orders coming from above. The bureaucrats are therefore seen as actions within the form and content of bureaucratic system. Anazodo (2004) noted that in the words of Webber, the father of bureaucracy, that bureaucracy is especially important because they allow large organization to perform the many routine activities necessary for their survival. Scholars have explained the concepts through its characteristics, function and criticisms with which we now turn to.
Characteristics of Bureaucracy
According to Weber (Stillman, 1980), the Characteristics of Bureaucracy are explainable as follows:
There is the principle of fixed and official jurisdictional areas, which are generally ordered by rules, that is by laws of administrative regulations.
The principle of office hierarchy and of levels of gradual authority mean a firmly ordered system of super and subordinations in which there is a supervision of the lower offices by the higher ones.
The management of the modern office is based upon written documents (? the files?), which are preserved in their original or draft form.
When the office is fully developed, official activity demands the full working capacity of the official, irrespective of the fact that his obligatory time in the bureau may be firmly delineated.
The management of the office follows general rules, which are more or less stable, more or less exhaustive, and which can be learned. Akindele (1982), opines that the central characteristics of bureaucracy has long been idealized by Weber and clearly deciphered them as; hierarchy of authority, -officialdom, – division of labour, – impartiality,-rules,-technical expertise and procedures. In the same way Anazodo, Okoye & Abba (2004) however, listed the Characteristics of Bureaucracy to include:
- Rules
- Division of labour
- Authority structure
- Lifelong career commitment.
- Rationality
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to bureaucratic corruption in Nigeria
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on bureaucratic corruption in Nigeria. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of bureaucratic corruption in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on bureaucratic corruption in Nigeria. Three objectives were raised which included: To investigate the relationship that exists between bureaucracy and government, to discuss the role of Bureaucrats and leaders in corrupt practices, to look at corruption, implications in socio-economic development, to understand the importance of good leadership in Nation-building through early implementation of policies. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of EFCC, Enugu state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made detectors, legal advisers, senior officers and junior officers were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Without doubt, there is a nexus between the bureaucratic corruption and poor performance of the bureaucrat’s vis-à-vis the practice of public administration in Nigeria. Measures to improve administrative performance may prove-ineffective should corruption be permitted to run rampant. We therefore, urge the government to pay a serious attention to the ideas of scholars that have been proffered over time on how best bureaucratic corruption can be jettisoned. This is because we have been able to discover that just like Achebe (1988) noted that there is nothing absolutely wrong with the “Nigerian system”. What we lack is the political will to say “NO” to the upsurge of corruption and fight it with all entire arsenals within our disposal. A well articulated laws and bills have been made. We can only but suggest for a sincere political will to follow it up.
Recommendation
- Requires direct, clear and forceful support of the highest political authority: The president.
- Introduce transparency and accountability in government functions, particularly in all financial transaction.
- Encourage a free press and electronic media to forcefully report to the public on corrupt practices in the society, via freedom of information act recently passed by the Nigeria National Assembly.
- The organize civil society to address the problems of corruption by the process of transparency
- Introduce into government watch-dog agencies- anti-corruption bureaus, inspectors general and auditors general who will identify corrupt practices and bring them to public attention.
- Minimize and simplify government regulations particularly those involving the insurance of licenses permits and preferential positions, thereby restricting opportunities for rent seeking by corrupt means.
- Introduce similar anti-bribery clauses into contracts relating to privatizations of government enterprises and the development of natural resources.
REFERENCES
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