Nigeria will host the 8th regional conference of anti-corruption agencies in Commonwealth Africa in 2018 according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud and money laundering. The conference is significant considering that corruption continues to affect the continent’s efforts towards good governance, sustainable economic growth, peace, stability and development.
Corruption
Politics and Society Tackling the Rise of Fake Qualifications in Nigeria
The disease of forging education certificates has infected every sphere of public life in Nigeria, including politics. In fact, several politicians have been embroiled in scandals involving fake certificates.
Politics and Society Getting my Cameroon National Identity Card: The Bureaucracy, the Corruption and the Recklessness
In Cameroon, it is not uncommon to spend days waiting for incompetent public officials to sign and issue documents. Files often go missing, forcing one to start the tedious bureaucratic process all over again. And, as Nkiacha Atemnkeng discovered, it is even worse for the Anglophone.
Politics and Society Tanzania fires 10,000 civil servants over fake qualifications
Tanzanian President John Magufuli last week fired almost 10 000 civil servants because they had forged their educational qualifications. Magufuli reportedly said the vacant posts would be filled urgently by “qualified persons” The dismissal has been welcomed by many, seen as step in the right direction, which signals strong leadership and political will to effectively get rid of corruption. Since taking office Magufuli has been praised for taking bold steps, aimed at fighting corruption, profligacy, malfeasance and strengthening public sector transparency and accountability.
Politics and Society Is Nigeria’s whistleblower policy really working?
Nearly four months after the introduction of the whistleblower policy in Nigeria, millions of dollars have been recovered. Linus Unah examines the effectiveness and potential pitfalls of the policy
Politics and Society Sending a warning: Former Nigerian governor gets five-year sentence for corruption
The conviction of Bala James Ngilari, a former governor of Adamawa state in Nigeria, by the Yola high court, presided over by Justice Nathan Musa, might portend an end to the common belief that most senior government officials can misappropriate public funds without any accompanying punishment.
Politics and Society Nigeria’s whistle-blowers and the fight against corruption
With the introduction of whistle-blowers into the fight against corruption, the Nigerian anti-graft agencies have recovered huge sums of money. While welcome and commendable, this hasn’t stopped people from asking President Muhammadu Buhari to probe members of his own party.
Politics and Society Sorry, But My Country Is Ugly
What lofty and enduring dream could sprout in us when we have become accustomed to squalor, habituated to decrepitude, made our peace with detritus? What hope is there for us when we fetishise Dubai and flaunt our expensive Louis Vuitton handbags, and yet fail to realise that our country has become—is—an endless open toilet, overflowing with septic sludge? Okey Ndibe chronicles his recent visit to Nigeria, which he describes as a “nightmare”.
Politics and Society Britain: PM David Cameron says Nigeria and Afghanistan are “fantastically corrupt” countries
Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron’s critical comments that Nigeria and Afghanistan are “fantastically corrupt” countries have caused quite a stir on social media. The comments were made during a discussion with the Queen, just before the start of the London Anti-Corruption Summit. Interestingly, early this year, President Muhammadu Buhari admitted that Nigerians have a bad reputation abroad, but noted “we are on our way to salvage that”. Could Nigeria ever shake off this reputation?