AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT BUREAU IN COMBATING ADMINISTRATIVE CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

By

Okpara Emmanuela Ugonma¹& Ahmed Nuhu Ahmed, Ph.D²

Department of Public Administration
Faculty of Management Sciences
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State-Nigeria

Email:ahmednuhuahmed7@gmail.com,07037550268 

Abstract

Administrative corruption remains one of the greatest impediments to effective Public Administration and sustainable governance in Nigeria, despite the establishment of various anti-corruption institutions. This study investigates the effectiveness of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in combating administrative corruption by examining its role in enforcing asset declaration, promoting ethical standards, investigating breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and enhancing accountability in the public sector. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Data were collected from 170 respondents drawn from selected Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), anti-corruption institutions, and informed citizens through structured questionnaires, with 110 valid responses retrieved and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. Anchored on Institutional Theory, the study found that the CCB has made notable contributions in promoting compliance with asset declaration and strengthening ethical standards among public officials. However, its overall effectiveness has been constrained by inadequate funding, weak institutional capacity, political interference, limited verification mechanisms, delayed prosecution of violations, and low public awareness of its statutory functions. The hypothesis tested further indicated that the Bureau has not significantly reduced administrative corruption in Nigeria due to these systemic and institutional challenges. The study concludes that the effectiveness of the CCB depends largely on its institutional independence, operational capacity, and ability to enforce compliance without external interference. It recommends comprehensive legal and institutional reforms, increased financial and technological support, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration, digitisation of asset declaration and verification processes, and sustained public enlightenment programmes to strengthen the Bureau's capacity to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria.

Keywords: Administrative corruption, Code of Conduct Bureau, Asset Declaration, Anti-Corruption Institutions,Governance, Nigeria.

DOI: www.doi.org/10.57233/fujpam.2026.v05i02.004

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author/Okpara Emmanuela Ugonma & Ahmed Nuhu Ahmed

journal/FUJPAM Vol. 5, No. 2