Addressing Corruption Beyond Political Corridors
Professor Folasade Ogunsola, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has issued a critical warning to Nigerians, urging them to recognize that corruption is not confined solely to the corridors of political power. Instead, she emphasized that corruption permeates various aspects of Nigerian society, from educational institutions to business and beyond.
This perspective was shared during an international conference on anti-corruption, hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at UNILAG in collaboration with the Panafricana Strategic and Policy Research Group and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC). The event took place last Thursday and focused on the theme: “Politics, governance, probity, religion and corrupt behaviour in Nigeria.”
The guest speaker at the conference was Professor Babatunde Babawale, who provided insights into the broader implications of corruption. Professor Ogunsola described corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain, highlighting that it stems from a mindset rather than a cultural norm. She explained that when individuals in positions of authority—whether in government, business, or other organizations—use their influence unethically, it undermines fairness, integrity, and the public good.
She further elaborated that corruption occurs whenever there is an imbalance in the level playing field, preventing individuals from accessing equal opportunities. Citing educational institutions as an example, she pointed out several forms of corruption, including:
- Cheating during examinations
- Staff-aiding examination malpractice
- Buying and selling of questions and answers
- Plagiarism
- Buying or selling of grades
- Students bribing lecturers or lecturers demanding something unduly
- Favoring certain individuals based on family and ethnicity ties, friendships, or other personal interests
In research, she noted additional forms of corruption, such as:
- Data falsification or fabrication
- Ghost writing
- Unethical authorship
- Misuse of research funds
- Diverting grants or resources for personal gains
- Nepotism and cronyism
- Misallocation of resources
- Manipulating accreditation or rankings
- Falsifying data to improve the institution’s reputation
Professor Ogunsola stressed that corruption is a mindset that will manifest in individuals once they have the opportunity. She commended the organizers of the conference, expressing optimism about its potential positive impact on society.
A Call for Systemic Change
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UNILAG, Professor Adelaja Odukoya, echoed similar sentiments, lamenting the high prevalence of corruption in Nigeria. He described it as a national embarrassment and emphasized that the issue is no longer just a matter of perception but a reality that affects every sphere of national life.
He highlighted that many Nigerians are losing their lives daily due to the consequences of corrupt practices. To address this, he suggested moving from a perception-based approach to an impunity index, where those accused of financial corruption must prove their source of wealth rather than the case being proven beyond all reasonable doubt.
Professor Odukoya emphasized the urgent need to extricate the nation from the stronghold of corruption, stating that failure to do so will keep the country perpetually poor. He called for immediate action, noting that the time to act is now.
The Role of Mindset and Integrity
General Ishola Williams (retd), a former Army Chief, also spoke at the conference, expressing concern over the worsening state of corruption. He attributed this to factors such as selfishness and greed, which drive individuals to accumulate resources they do not need. He criticized the behavior of many in public offices who wait for opportunities to steal or loot without considering the consequences on society.
He noted that many Nigerians are pretenders and hypocrites, claiming to be honest while engaging in corrupt practices. He urged people to change their mindsets and desist from corrupt behaviors to create a functioning system in the country.
