An Assessment of the Effect of Corruption and Security Challenges on Educational System in Nigeria From 2011-2016
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study is to find out the effect of corruption and security challenges in Nigeria starting from 2011-2016. The specific objectives are:
- to identify the challenges the Nigerian government facing in tackling corruption and insecurity from 2011-2016
- to assess the effects of corruption and insecurity on the Nigerian economy from 2011-2016
- to determine the effects of corruption and insecurity on Nigerians from 2011-2016
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The Concept of Corruption
Corruption as a concept does not easily yield itself to a one size fits all definition. This is why people see it as a “difficult concept to define” (Brunnelle-Quraishi, 2011:101, Ganahl, 2013) and one that evades a universal prescription (Transparency International, 2003). The direction in which the above points hand towards is that definitions of corruption can be varied and divergent. To be expected, a concept that lacks universal prescription may open itself up to numerous manifestations, manipulations or interpretations as people in different cultures may conceive it but all such conceptions across cultures may have one thing in common namely corruption and corrupt practices have disabling, impairing and devastating consequences on individuals, institutions and the economy of the states. What can be inferred from the varied and divergent nature of the definitions of corruption is that corruption can be defined strictly from a political, economic, cultural, moral and general perspectives and any definition can be provided or plausible depending on the angle from which any one may be operating from or an inclusive definition of the concept can also be provided. Because corruption is characterized by many trends and manifestations, many scholars and institutions provide definitions of corruption that contain the trends and manifestations of corruption in their own environment or locality. This feature of corruption helps to make discussions that are focused on corruption more elastic and robust because a feature of corruption in one country that is absent in another can help illuminate more lights on how people in another culture or setting can understand and explore the same concept as well as solve its multi faceted problems. This, in a way means that corruption comes in layers or hierarchies. Layers or hierarchies of corruption could refer to the class of persons involved in corruption and corrupt practices, the modus operandi of corruption or the prevalence of corruption among a people in a state. The foregoing background information on corruption can be well appreciated when viewed against the background of definitions of corruption as provided by scholars and institutions. Corruption according to Brunnelle-Quraishi (2011) is derived from the Latin word corruptus which translates as “to break”. For Khan (1996), corruption incorporates any act that deviates from those rules and regulations that govern the behaviour and action of any one in a position of public authority especially actions that turn such privilege into avenues for personally and privately amassing wealth, power and authority. The World Bank (1998) defines corruption as the use of public office for private gain and in the views of Lawal and Tobi (2006:643), “corruption is any conscious attempt or deliberate diversion of resources from the satisfaction of the general interests to that of the selfish (personal or particular interest). Ojiade (2000) is more inclusive in his definition of corruption when he writes that corruption is any systematic vice perpetuated by individuals, society or a state in general, where not-too-good concepts for equality, social harmony and harmonious living e.g. favouritism, nepotism, tribalism, sectionalism, undue enrichment, amassing of wealth, abuse of office, power, position etc become norms upon which the people and the state operate In the same vein Iyanda (2012:39) citing Ngwakwe (2009) reports that Nigeria’s anti corruption agency – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) defines corruption from economic perspectives as “the non violent criminal and illicit activity committed with objectives of earning wealth illegally either individually or in a group or organized manner thereby violating existing legislation governing the economic activities of government and its administration”.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine an assessment of the effect of corruption and security challenges on educational system in Nigeria from 2011 – 2016. Ministry of education form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of corruption and security challenges on educational system in Nigeria from 2011 – 2016. 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 the effect of corruption and security challenges on educational system in Nigeria from 2011 – 2016
Summary
This study was on the effect of corruption and security challenges on educational system in Nigeria from 2011 – 2016. Three objectives were raised which included: to identify the challenges the Nigerian government facing in tackling corruption and insecurity from 2011-2016, to assess the effects of corruption and insecurity on the Nigerian economy from 2011-2016 and to determine the effects of corruption and insecurity on Nigerians from 2011-2016. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from ministry of education. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
This paper focused on corruption in the education industry and its implications for national development in Nigeria. As a way of doing justice to the paper, it extensively discussed the scopes, varieties and dimensions of corruption both in the larger Nigerian society and in the education industry in particular. In both the larger Nigerian society and in the education industry, corruption invokes a plethora of meanings and occurs in a number of ways that revolve around individuals or groups use of power for the individual’s or group’s advantage beyond the approved limits upon which such power is meant for, and this in pragmatic terms includes bending official rules in order to punish or favour one or group who by merit does not merit such favour. Corruption both in the larger Nigerian society and in the education industry is a morally condemnable behaviour as it does not leave any positive impressions on the philosophical, political, economic, social and moral outlooks of any people or state. In all of this, corruption in the education industry is more dreaded and dangerous as it short changes members of the society in the provision of an essential social services, which in addition to being a fundamental human right, is a springboard upon which errors and mistakes of the past can be corrected and the developmental goals and aspirations of the present and future generations depend. Fundamentally corruption in the education industry celebrates mediocrity, distorts order and jettisons merit and fair competition which are hall marks of ideal education systems globally. That corruption has become a norm in Nigeria’s education system invariably translates that education has failed in the Nigerian society in not properly stratifying or placing members of the Nigerian society into areas where they can make sustainable contributions to the development of the Nigerian state. Most importantly corruption terribly creates infrastructural deficits that result in many persons not having access to education and this on its own systematically leaves generations of frustrated, disgruntled and disenchanted individuals who in addition to manifesting terrible immorality also resort to high profile criminality like militancy and insurgency. Lack of access to education by citizens due to infrastructural deficits occasioned by corruption and militancy and insurgency have multiplier effects on the economy and national development of the Nigerian state as potential human beings who naturally can contribute to the development of the Nigerian state are lost and investors who should have invested to create jobs for the citizens and through that way boost the national economy for Nigeria’s national development are scared away. Immorality, militancy and insurgency that unfortunately have become acceptable behaviours in Nigeria are not investors and investments friendly and what these singularly and jointly have imposed on Nigeria and Nigerians is economic stagnation which is not favourable to progress and national development. Corruption in Nigeria’s larger society and corruption in Nigeria’s education industry very unfortunately has fertile breeding grounds and stable platforms so much that it has many advocates and many practitioners but one thing right thinking and morally conscious Nigerians recognize is that corruption is a serious threat and a serious challenge to the development of the Nigerian state that needs to be confronted head long. Embarking on a mission that is targeted at challenging corruption in Nigeria generally and in Nigeria’s education industry in particular requires a total change of gear or paradigm shift in transactions in Nigeria generally and in Nigeria’s education industry. A radical revolution can be initiated through education whereby accountability and transparency becomes household words in Nigeria so much that citizens can be sensitized to hold public officers, politicians, contractors, teachers and other stakeholders in education accountable for money or any projects that are meant to serve the people.
Recommendation
There should be less emphasis on universally agreed upon definitions of corruption rather what should be stressed can be observable phenomena associated with corruption. When taken this way, the low and the high profile nature or the legendary nature of corruption can be adequately accommodated and addressed so much that virtually every member of the society, be it the cleaner, the market woman, the governor, the senator, or the head of state can realize that any money cornered or pocketed in the form of contract paid for but not executed, any money budgeted for and not spent but has been misappropriated, any favour granted to an individual when the individual does not on merit deserve it, any one kobo collected from an individual as a condition for locating his file in the ministry or card in the hospital, any claim that one is a worker either in private in public establishment when he is not or attempts to provide cover for one who is not a worker in an establishment but receives pay at the end of the months, which is shared between him and the cover provider or attempt to give employment or contract to unqualified persons or rig election so that one who failed is declared the winner etc all qualify as corruption and corrupt practices
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