Your forthcoming research paper is called ‘Taking action against corruption in Nigeria: empowering anti-corruption role models and coalitions to change social norms’. When did Nigeria’s problem with corruption start?
One theory relates to Nigeria’s ‘resource curse’. After the discovery of oil in the 1950s, there was an influx of money that the fledgling independent Nigerian state, built on the foundation of the extractive colonial state, had neither the institutional capacity nor the accountability mechanisms to manage.
A rent-seeking economy emerged where the country’s elites sought to increase their own wealth without contributing any benefits to society, and corruption became widespread. It is very costly – between 2005 and 2014, for instance, some $182 billion was lost through illicit financial flows. Ordinary citizens, especially the poorest, suffer the most.
Today, our research reveals that 8 out of 10 Nigerians believe corruption is wrong, but despite this, it is ubiquitous. Engaging in corrupt practices is essential for accessing jobs, goods and services. Refusing to do so doesn’t just make life harder, it can invite difficulties for resisting social pressures. Because of its pervasiveness, it is challenging to hold anyone to account.
Your paper identifies ‘integrity role models’. Who are they?
No one wants to be the first to risk disadvantaging themselves by doing the right thing, but integrity role models do just that. They are the first adopters of anti-corrupt behaviours – for example refusing to offer or accept bribes or favour a friend or relative in a contract bid.
They are vital to addressing Nigeria’s collective action problem because they show that alternative behaviour is possible and drives reforms. They take on the initial cost of doing the right thing, and by doing so lower the risk for others to do just that. The paper argues that the key to spreading anti-corrupt behaviours is supporting and connecting integrity role models so they can influence others and normalize doing the right thing.
What costs do integrity role models take on?
Those we interviewed gave many examples, such as being overlooked for promotion or being threatened by contractors if they didn’t offer preferential treatment in a tender process.
But there are things we can do to reduce these personal costs, such as providing them with legal and material support. We can also strengthen coordination between different, isolated actors to allow them to support one another in moral dilemmas, and to think more strategically about their reform efforts. This will make them more effective role models in their various spheres of influence, which in turn encourages others to follow their behaviour.
What steps should Nigerians take to implement your recommendations?
The paper recommends that governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations better support and coordinate these role models. These are the groups we hope to highlight at our conference, ‘Renewing Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Agenda’ in Abuja on March 19. By leveraging the capabilities of integrity role models and coordinating anti-corruption networks, Nigeria can take action to break free from the corruption cycle in which it finds itself trapped.
Do you think Nigerian society is ready to support this sort of change?
Corruption’s resilience, despite top-down attempts to eradicate it, shows the limitations of policy and legislative responses. There is a capacity for demanding change and accountability in Nigeria, but it needs to be better directed and connected to create impact from the bottom up.
