Corruption in Nigeria Is So Deep: ‘If the Laws Were Applied, 80% of People on the Street Would Be in Jail’ — ICPC

Corruption in Nigeria is so pervasive that strict enforcement of existing laws could see the majority of citizens imprisoned, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has warned. ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Kaduna State, Sakaba Ishaku, made the statement at a capacity-building workshop on local government accountability organized by the Kaduna State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Addressing participants on “Accountability in Local Government: A Springboard for National Development,” Ishaku described corruption as endemic, affecting nearly every facet of Nigerian life. “If the laws were to be applied to the latter, about 80 percent of the people you see walking the street freely will be in jail,” he said, noting that weak institutions, lack of accountability, and socio-economic pressures have fueled mismanagement, poverty, social unrest, and stalled development.

Ishaku stressed that wealth in Nigeria often has questionable origins, cautioning that even inherited wealth should be scrutinized. He noted that resistance to anti-corruption reforms is common because corrupt practices frequently benefit individuals at the expense of society.

The commissioner challenged local government chairmen, criticizing those who leave office after two terms without any tangible achievements. He called for harsher penalties for corruption, highlighting that current punishments are insufficient, citing cases where multi-billion naira frauds result in minimal jail time. Ishaku urged Kaduna State to adopt stricter project tracking measures, similar to the ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative, which has successfully compelled contractors to complete abandoned public projects.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman Legas, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that public attitudes and poor civic responsibility hinder development despite the state’s economic potential. He noted that his ministry saved billions through rural electrification projects in several communities, only to have infrastructure stolen or vandalized, highlighting the need for public awareness and stronger collaboration between government agencies and local communities to protect assets and ensure sustainable development.