Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has outlined why it has become so challenging to stop corruption in Nigeria in its tracks.
At a policy dialogue on corruption, social norms, and behavioural change sponsored by the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission in Abuja on Tuesday, the Speaker made this point clear.
The legislator claims that the high amount of corruption in the government has prevented the nation from reaching its full potential.
He pointed out that this is the case because a number of elements, including societal norms, expectations, attitudes, and poor governance systems have continuously made significant contributions to the persistence of corruption in Nigeria.
“Despite this recognition, certain corrupting behaviours, norms, attitudes, and expectations continue in our society, enabling and maintaining corrupt practises,” he stated.
“A number of factors, including poor governance, a lack of accountability and transparency, poverty, and a culture that tolerates corruption, have contributed to the growth of corruption in Nigeria.
“While we have laws, rules, and institutions to combat corruption, in my opinion, corruption still festers because of prevalent societal attitudes towards riches, celebrity, power, and success regardless of how they are attained.
“Cutting out an evil tree’s root rather than trimming its branches is the best way to combat corruption, according to the behavioural and social norms approach. After all, prevention is preferable to treatment.
Therefore, fighting corruption necessitates changing societal norms and behaviours in addition to legal and institutional reforms.
