A new report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has uncovered alarming levels of corruption in Nigeria’s public sector recruitment process.
The “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends” report, conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), reveals that 60% of public sector workers hired between 2020 and 2023 obtained their positions through nepotism, bribery, or a combination of both.
The survey, based on data collected from November 2020 to October 2023, found that 27% of successful candidates used bribery alone, 13% relied on nepotism, and 19% employed both tactics. Only 40% of candidates claimed to have secured their jobs without resorting to unethical means.
These figures represent a significant increase from the 2019 survey, with the share of public sector applicants using corrupt practices rising by about 20%. The report states, “Overall, in the three years prior to the 2023 survey, around 60% of public sector applicants in Nigeria were hired as a result of nepotism, bribery or both – about 1.2 times the share found in the 2019 survey.”
Interestingly, the study highlighted that formal assessments can help reduce corruption in the hiring process. When candidates underwent written tests or oral interviews, the rate of bribery or nepotism dropped to 41%, compared to 53% for those who were not formally assessed.
The report also shed light on the broader issue of bribery in Nigeria. Public officials reportedly received N721 billion in bribes in 2023, equivalent to 0.35% of the country’s GDP. While the total number of bribes has decreased from 117 million in 2019 to 87 million in 2023, the practice remains widespread, with an average of 5.1 bribes paid per bribe-payer.
Bribery was found to be more prevalent in rural areas, where residents pay an average of 5.8 bribes compared to 4.5 in urban areas. Over 95% of these bribes were paid in cash or through money transfers.
These findings underscore the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s public sector hiring practices and anti-corruption efforts. The implementation of more rigorous assessment procedures and increased transparency in the recruitment process may be crucial steps toward combating this pervasive issue.
As Nigeria grapples with these challenges, the report serves as a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead in building a more transparent and merit-based public sector.
