Abstract
The study investigates the
state and bureaucratic corruption in Nigeria. Corruption has become the word on
the lips of many in the world today, most especially in the developing
countries where poverty, oppression, poor human relations, diseases and nepotism
thrives. Corruption has become completely institutionalized, entered into the
realm of culture and the value system in Nigeria. Bureaucratic corruption has
become severely endemic to public life as well as to the public sector system.
Indeed, corruption remains the greatest threat to the attainment Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and even to the continued existence of the Nigeria
state. Therefore, this paper examines the state and bureaucratic corruption in
Nigeria and argues that the continued survival of the Nigeria state is
currently in jeopardy as a result of the unchecked growth and progression of
corruption which is becoming more complex by the day. The study examines the
concept of bureaucracy, state, corruption and bureaucratic corruption. The
study also unveils the causes of bureaucratic corruption. Using Bureaucratic
theory to interrogate the discourse, it however adopts a secondary source of
data collection to gather the needed information. The study finds out that lack
of political will, political interference and poverty are some of the factors
causing bureaucratic corruption. The findings also show that the colonial
legacy, militarization of bureaucractic appatatuses, political instability,
skewed federal arrangement and the Euromodel laid the foundation for a
centralized, inefficient bureaucratic system of government. Consequent upon the
above, the study recommends the need to strengthen the state institution,
asset declaration and regular training amongst
others. And also recommend that there is a need for Nigeria to have a people’s
constitution, where social and economic benefits are clearly spelt out
Keywords: State, Bureaucracy, Corruption,
Bureaucratic Corruption, Nigeria.
DOI: www.doi.org/10.36349/fujpam.2024.v3i02.006
author/John, A.K., Eneanya, A.N. & Ologbenla, D.K.
journal/FUJPAM Vol. 3, No. 2