Corruption Management in Nigeria: Interrogating Civil Society as an Anti-Corruption Actor

Abstract

Nigeria presents a gigantic absurdity in the discourse and praxis of corruption and anti-corruption. Though the nation’s political scenery is adorned with a throng of anti-corruption laws, commissions and agencies, yet corruption remains deep-seated. This situation suggests the failure of past governments’ anti-corruption initiatives and the need to search for the unconventional mechanism in non-state actors such as the civil society. This paper based on desk analysis examines the inherent inadequacies associated with anti-corruption measures of governments in Nigeria in the past, the dynamism, status and role of civil society as a formidable mechanism for combating corruption. It reveals that the civil society possesses the potential as a third sector institution vital and relevant to assist in managing corruption but it has so far been marginally focused on curbing corruption. It acknowledges the inadequacies of the civil society as an anticorruption actor and recommends the need to build its capacity for effectiveness.