Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday explained why it is difficult to end corruption in Nigeria.
According to The PUNCH, he stated this while speaking at the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission’s Policy Dialogue on Corruption, Social Norms, and Behavioural Change event.
According to the lawmaker, the high level of corruption in the corridors of power has significantly impeded the nation’s ability to realise its maximum potential.
He explained that this is due to the fact that certain factors, including behaviours, norms, attitudes, and expectations, as well as ineffective governance structures and a lack of transparency, have contributed enormously to the persistence of corruption in Nigeria.
He said, “Despite this recognition, certain corruption-inducing behaviours, norms, attitudes, and expectations persist within our society, thereby, enabling and perpetuating acts of corruption.
“Corruption in Nigeria has been fuelled by various factors, including weak governance structures, lack of transparency and accountability, poverty, and cultural acceptance of corrupt practices.
“While we have laws, policies and institutions to tackle corruption, it is my considered opinion that corruption continues to fester owing to prevailing societal attitudes towards wealth, fame, power and success regardless of how they are obtained.
“The behavioural and social norms approach in tackling corruption is akin to cutting off the root of an evil tree than trimming its branches. After all, prevention is better than cure.
”It follows, therefore, that addressing corruption requires not only legal and institutional reforms but also a transformation of social norms and behaviours.”
