© Kamla-Raj 2005 Anthropologist, 7(1): 7-18 (2005) A Critical Analysis of Corruption and its Problems1 in Nigeria

ABSTRACT The problems posed to mankind by corruption due to the lack of its definitive and universalistic conceptualisation and, its resultant conscious and unconscious institutionalisation, in most cases, across various polities of the world form the core of the analysis of this paper. Specifically, zero-ing in, on Nigeria and other developing polities of Africa, with concrete examples, this paper examines the concept of corruption and its hydra-headedness in our society as does, what to be done in combating the increasing spread of its tumour to all fibres of the socio-economic, political and cultural physiology of these nations. In the process, it was revealed that, the lack of definitional unanimity on the concept has made its mere explanation the analytical goal rather than offering meaningful solutions to the problems it poses by way of its covert or overt institutionalisation, to the growth of our societies and mankind in general. These problems notwithstanding, this paper perused and synopsized the explanatory efforts already made regarding what constitutes corruption and its danger to the socio-economic system of most polities (Nigeria inclusive) within the global political community. In the process, and, without prejudice to the issues of cultural relativism and normative narrowing, we have been able to establish that idiosyncratic philosophy, normative impediments, and, paucity of civic virtues among others, are causally related to corruption in most polities of the world and, particularly in Nigeria. It has equally been analytically shown with current and concrete Nigerian examples, that, corruption in whatever form is inimical to the development of any society. Given this, it is our conclusion that further research on the possibility of a definitional consensus is necessary, if only to properly understand more, the moral fibres of our societies and their receptivity or otherwise to the issue of corruption in view of its malignancy to national development