Nigeria Records 87m Bribery Cases in 2023 – NBS

According to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria has witnessed a significant decrease in bribery cases, with approximately 87 million bribes paid in 2023, compared to 117 million in 2019. This represents a 26% decline in bribery incidents over the four-year period.

The report also revealed that the average number of bribes paid per adult decreased to 0.8 in 2023, indicating a slight improvement in the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

Despite this progress, the survey showed that a substantial proportion of Nigerians still engage with public officials, with around 56% having at least one contact with a public official in the 12 months preceding the survey. This figure represents a 7% reduction from the 63% recorded in 2019.

The survey highlighted variations in contact rates across different regions and urban vs. rural areas. Urban areas recorded a higher contact rate (61%) compared to rural areas (52%). The largest share of citizens had contact with healthcare professionals (30%) and public utilities officers (24%), followed by police officers (20%).

While the decline in bribery cases is a positive development, the report underscores the need for sustained efforts to address corruption in Nigeria. The NBS report serves as a reminder that corruption remains a pervasive issue, and continued vigilance is necessary to ensure progress towards a more transparent and accountable society.