Corruption remains one of the most significant impediments to Nigeria’s development, as it erodes trust in public institutions, undermines the rule of law, and stifles economic growth.
The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, declared in Zaria on Thursday that an estimated 87 million bribes amounting to N700 billion were paid and that the frequency of bribes is higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), spoke when he delivered a keynote address at the ongoing International Law Conference organised by the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The ICPC chairman, who spoke on “Law and Contemporary Societal Issues: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities,” also pointed out that corruption is not only a legal issue but also a social problem that requires a comprehensive and sustained approach.
According to a recent survey by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, corruption ranked fourth among the most critical problems affecting the country in 2023, after cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment.
Aliyu revealed that in 2023, an estimated 87 million bribes amounting to N700 billion were paid and that the frequency of bribes is higher in rural areas than in urban areas.