THE CHALLENGE OF DELIVERY OF ANTI-CORRUPTION
POLICIES IN CREATING GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE
ECONOMIES:
A STUDY OF NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC
Olusola Samuel FABOYEDE
School of Business, College of Development Studies, Department of
Accounting,
Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
Tel. +2348 0344 0090 E-mail: samuel.faboyede@covenantuniversity.edu.ng
Oluku Dick MUKORO
School of Business, College of Development Studies, Department of
Accounting, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
Tel. +2348 0344 0090 E-mail: oluku.mukoro@covenantuniversity.edu.ng
Babajide OYEWO
School of Business, College of Development Studies, Department of
Accounting, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
Tel. +2348 0344 0090 E-mail: jide.oyewo@covenantuniversity.edu.ng
A.O. AKANDE
Ecole Superieure De Management Universite, Department of Business Admin,
Porto Novo, Republic of Benin
Abstract
Nigeria aims to be one of the twenty top-most economies in the world by the year
2020. The potential of global competitiveness that abounds in Nigeria can only be
translated into real growth when corruption is reduced to its barest minimum and
service delivery enhanced. The fourth republic (Obasanjo’s administration) was
characterized by the waging of a serious anti-corruption war which became its
sing-song throughout the eight years of rule. Beyond rhetorics, anti-graft agencies
were established and enabled by appropriate legislations to investigate corruption
cases, prosecute offenders and confiscate their properties. This research examines
the transition conditions in which the crusade against corruption was waged
during the Obasanjo years (1999 to 2007). It offers a critical assessment of the
extent of results achieved during the years with regards to the resolve to stamp out
corruption. Issues discussed, among other factors, include the anti-corruption
initiatives engaged, the impact of the anti-corruption reforms, the existence of
weak institutions, the dysfunctional electoral system and the ubiquitous presence of
lack of leadership by example in the anti-corruption war. The study points out that
although the anti-graft reforms had the potentials to reduce corruption and make
Nigeria a globally competitive economic force, they were largely a failure due to
the myriad of delivery challenges identified. It is against the background of the
ongoing war against corruption in Nigeria that it proffers recommendations to
bring to reality the laudable intentions of the anti-corruption fight in the country.
Keywords: anti-corruption, Obasanjo, global competitiveness, Nigeria