ABUJA, Nigeria (ChatnewsTV) — A new study reveals that Nigerians are overwhelmingly against judicial bribery and procurement fraud, but many underestimate how widely shared their disapproval is. This insight could unlock new avenues for collective action in the fight against corruption, according to a report published by Dr. Leena Koni Hoffmann, an associate fellow with the Africa Programme at Chatham House.
The research, part of the Social Norms and Accountable Governance (SNAG) project, surveyed households across Nigeria. It found that a significant majority of citizens view corrupt practices such as judicial bribery and misappropriation of public funds as unacceptable. Yet, many Nigerians believe these activities are common and tolerated within their communities.
“Corruption remains at the heart of Nigeria’s challenges with insecurity, inequality, and poor public services,” said Dr. Hoffmann. “Citizens are frustrated with the misappropriation of public funds in procurement, but most of them feel isolated in their disapproval.”
The survey results, however, reveal that 88 percent of Nigerians personally disapprove of bribery in the judiciary. A similar percentage expressed disdain for procurement fraud, including contract inflation and the diversion of public funds. Despite these strong personal convictions, respondents mistakenly assumed that their fellow citizens were more tolerant of such practices than they actually were.
“Nigerians are not alone in their frustration,” Hoffmann emphasized. “People need to recognize that their neighbors, friends, and family are also against corruption. This shared understanding could fuel collective efforts to demand accountability.”
The misperception of community attitudes may explain why individuals feel powerless to combat corruption on their own. Dr. Hoffmann’s research suggests that highlighting these shared values could be a turning point, allowing citizens to band together and put pressure on public officials and institutions.
Currently, 61 percent of Nigerians believe that judges are likely to accept bribes, a sentiment worsened by political interference, nepotism, and the influence of judicial networks that promote unethical behavior. “There is a real sense that judges are insulated from accountability, which is a major obstacle to reform,” Hoffmann noted.
The report calls for a broader, community-based approach to fighting corruption, with efforts focusing on making public contracting information more accessible and using local media and civil society groups to expose corrupt practices.
“There is hope,” Hoffmann concluded. “Nigerians trust anti-corruption agencies to take action, and this public confidence could be harnessed to drive community-level initiatives. The key is to involve local leaders and trusted organizations in the fight.”
With growing public discontent and a clearer picture of shared values, Nigeria may be on the verge of a new phase in its fight against corruption—one that is led by citizens determined to hold their leaders accountable.
By Gabriel Ani
