Impact of Corruption on Economic Development in Nigeria and other African States

Abstract

Corruption in the society is endemic, it undermines development and deters progress. Most African 
states, for instance, Nigeria, are in the state of economic quagmire due to acute corruption in all 
aspects of the national life. This article examined what is corruption generally, and the negative 
impact of corruption around the globe particularly in Africa and by extension Nigeria. There are 
legal frameworks both international and regional/local put in place to tackle the ugly phase of 
corruption, however, despite the successes recorded as a result of enforcing the amalgam of 
legislation on the subject, the benefit is yet to be felt as corruption by government, public and private 
persons is on the increase daily thereby undermining economic growth and the wellbeing of the 
citizenry. The methodology adopted in the article is doctrinal, some legislations touching on the subject 
have been examined giving the background of the subject. The article analyses the negative impact of 
corruption on the national life of a country, particularly in Nigeria. It is recommended that the extant 
legislation on corruption around the globe particularly in Nigeria be variously amended to reflect 
stiffer penalties for offenders if the fight against corruption is anything to be taken seriously.