CORRUPTION AS A MAJOR CHALLENGE IN NIGERIA: A PERSPECTIVE OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT BETWEEN 1999-2015 AND AN ASSESSMENT OF DIVIDENDS OF POLITICS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT.

CORRUPTION AS A MAJOR CHALLENGE IN NIGERIA: A PERSPECTIVE OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT BETWEEN 1999-2015 AND AN ASSESSMENT OF DIVIDENDS OF POLITICS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1  Background To The Study

Corruption constitute a great challenge to the realization of  democratic dividend in form of  Education, social, economic, and political development of any nation. The issue has therefore generated public outcry and the concern of government to stem it out of the Nigerian cultural heritage.. The United Nations Global Programme against Corruption (GPAC) defines corruption as “abuse of power for private gain”.  It can also be defined as a pervasion or change from the general accepted rules or laws for selfish gain (Farida, 2010). The World Bank however defines corruption as: The abuse of office for private gains. Public office is abused for private gain when an official accepts, solicits or extorts a bribe. It is also abused when private agents actively offer bribes to circumvent public offices and processes for competitive advantages or profit. Corruption is also regarded as the theft of state assets, or the diversion of state resources. Given this development therefore, corruption connotes any behavior that deviates from an established norm with regards to public trust. It also means theft of public trust whether the person concerned is elected, selected, nominated or appointed and it does not matter whether the person affected holds office or not since anybody can be corrupt. The research seek to appraise corruption as a major challenge in Nigeria: a perspective of democratic government between 1999-2015 and an assessment of dividends of politics in Nigeria: a case study of Lagos state government.

1.2  Statement of the Problem

The effects of corruption on the Nigerian economy have led to high level recession resulting in dwindling economic state and devastating consequence on the people. Consequently it is difficult for the nation to reap the full dividend of democracy. Corruption has deterred economic development due lack of financial resources which have otherwise being diverted by corrupt leaders into private accounts for personal aggrandisment.The issue of corruption has therefore generated greatest concern the public and the government.  . The issue of corruption is further worsened by the  high level of greed , poverty, political rivalry, disregard to the principle of law in the society. The problem confronting the research is to appraise corruption as a major challenge in Nigeria: a perspective of democratic government between 1999-2015 and an assessment of dividends of politics in Nigeria: a case study of Lagos state government.

1.3  Objectives of the Study

To proffer an appraisal of corruption as a major challenge in Nigeria: a perspective of democratic government between 1999-2015 and an assessment of dividends of politics in Nigeria: a case study of Lagos state government.

1.4  Research Questions

What is the nature of corruption in Nigeria?

What are the effects   of corruption from the democratic government of Nigeria between 1999- 2015?

What is the nature and effect of corruption in Lagos state?

CORRUPTION AS A MAJOR CHALLENGE IN NIGERIA: A PERSPECTIVE OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT BETWEEN 1999-2015 AND AN ASSESSMENT OF DIVIDENDS OF POLITICS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT.