We Are Not Fighting Corruption Well Enough In Nigeria – Abbas Tajudeen

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has come out to explain why it has become a difficult task to nip corruption in the bud in Nigeria.

He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, the high level of corruption among the leaders themselves has greatly slowed down the country’s ability to reach its full potential, and factors like lack of transparency plus poor governance structures have constantly contributed immensely to the subsistence of corruption in Nigeria.

He added that while there are laws and policies to tackle corruption in the nation, it simply continues to fester.

His words, “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.”