ISSN: 2573-1734
Authors: Zakari MB*
The goal of any independent anticorruption agency, wherever it may be located, is to reduce or eliminate the incentives and opportunities that make corrupt activities alluring, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the ruling government by eliminating elements within the system that may be damaging or corrupt. Achieving these aims requires ensuring that dedicated anticorruption agencies are provided with sufficient personnel and resources, and that additionally their organisational development needs are met. -This paper draws upon unique access to interviews with 20 senior officials employed in the dedicated anti-corruption agencies fighting corruption in Nigeria and access to 20 case files relating to prosecutions by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). The article asserts that the first step in fighting corruption must be to renew focus on economic development and welfare. These terms cover a range of government strategies designed to ensure the wellbeing of the citizenry, such as healthcare, education, vocational training, public housing and public transportation. It argues that until these support structures are easily accessible to the citizens, referred to within the article as taking care of “favourable policy context”, countering corruption in Nigeria, will remain a vicious circle.
Keywords: Corruption; Anticorruption Agencies; Political Will; Welfare; Good Governance; Development
