The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), has revealed that Nigerian public officials received nothing less than ₦721 billion as bribes in 2023.
This revelation was contained in a survey conducted by the NBS in conjunction with the UNODC.
The report entitled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends” was published by the NBS on Thursday.
It stated that the ₦721bn paid in bribes amounted to about 0.35 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to the survey, the average cash bribe was ₦8,284. This represented an increase from an average of ₦5,754 in 2019.
“According to the 2023 survey, the average cash bribe paid was 8,284 Nigerian Naira. While the nominal average cash bribe size increased since 2019 (from NGN 5,754), this does not account for inflation. The inflation-adjusted average cash bribe in 2023 was 29 per cent smaller than in 2019. This was in terms of what could be bought with the money.
“Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly NGN 721 billion (US$1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023. This corresponds to 0.35 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria,” the report read in part.
The report also indicates that 56 per cent of Nigerians interacted with a public official in 2023. This is down from 63 per cent in 2019.
According to the report, notwithstanding this reduction, bribery remains widespread. It averaged 5.1 bribes paid per bribe payer. This total approximately 87 million bribes nationwide. The figure represents a decrease from the 117 million bribes estimated in 2019.
On payment mode, the report noted that over 95 per cent of bribes were paid in monetary form (cash or money transfer) in 2023.
It revealed that public officials were more likely to demand bribes. It also stated that the figure in the private sector actors, which included doctors in private hospitals, increased from 6 per cent in 2019 to 14 per cent in 2023.
However, this rise, notwithstanding, bribery in the public sector remains about twice as high. “With public sector contact rates also being twice as high as those in the private sector,” it stated.
“In 2023, 27 per cent of Nigerians who interacted with a public official paid a bribe. This was a slight decrease from 29 per cent in 2019. Including instances where bribes were requested but refused. Over one-third of interactions between citizens and public officials were involved bribery.
Similarly, the report shows a growing trend of Nigerians refusing to pay bribes.
“In 2023, 70 per cent of those asked to pay a bribe refused at least once. With the highest refusal rates in the North-West zone at 76 per cent. All regions recorded refusal rates above 60 per cent. This indicates that Nigerians are increasingly standing against corruption.
According to the report, bribery is becoming less accepted in Nigeria. The percentage of citizens who view bribery requests as acceptable to expedite administrative procedures decreased from 29 per cent in 2019 to 23 per cent in 2023.
“Fewer citizens reported suffering negative consequences after refusing bribe requests in 2023 compared to 2019. This suggests a growing empowerment among Nigerians to confront corrupt officials without fear of repercussions.
“In 2023, 21 per cent of bribe refusers indicated they refused because they had other options. Normative concerns (42 per cent) and cost of living pressures (23 per cent) also played significant roles in their refusal to pay bribes.
source: Channels TV
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