The High Level of Corruption in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. The Rising Menace of Degenerating Corruption in Nigerian Schools

Scientific Essay from the year 2017 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Africa, grade: A1, , course: General Studies Department, Nasarawa State Poltechnic, Lafia; Bridge Gate Research Consult Ltd, Gwagwalada, Abuja, FCT; Gokin and Dab Educational Services and Consultancy, Lafia, language: English, abstract: Corruption permeates all facets of the Nigerian society. It degenerates and permeates every sector in Nigeria, because those who are in the right place to help get rid of it are themselves the most corrupt. They are politicians, elites and the bourgeoisie, who have institutionalised corruption. This study appraises the level of corruption that obtains in Nigerian tertiary institutions, which continuously degenerates across times, as it seems to have defied practical solutions. That is, it aims to ascertain the level of corruption in these institutions. It relates the corruption obtained in tertiary institutions to that of the Nigerian polity, from where it sprang to the institutions. It conceptualises corruption, along with the conceptions of several other scholars. It makes distinction between elitist (institutionalised/formalised) corruption and that of the common masses, a derivation and minor/micro-phase of the former. The study thus interrogates the inefficacy of the various anti-corruption crusades and programmes of the various Nigerian governments, both military regime and civilian dispensation alike. The effects of corruption on Nigeria and Nigerians also constitute its scope. It attempts a trace of corruption, which it asserts to have risen during the colonial era. It also tells why corruption permeates Nigerian tertiary institutions, and why it degenerates in the institutions as well as other sectors of the country. Being a position paper, it involves text-content analysis, qualitative approach, intuition and the non-participant observation. Its offered recommendations include ensuring of good leadership; the evolving and imbibing of the multi-dimensional syndromes of ethics; strong and operational legislations and penalties against all categories of offenders without sparing any sacred cows; and attitudinal change by both government and the citizenry are the panacea.

Robert, Odey Simon holds BA (Hons) in Languages and Linguistics of the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. He is currently a Post-Graduate candidate. He has lectured on part-time basis in several higher institutions, with one of the recent ones being in the Consultancy Services Unit of the General Studies Department, Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia. He also taught English Language and Literature-in-English in several colleges, with Sandaji College, Lafia, Nasarawa, Nigeria being the most recent. He is also an external English Language subject Examiner to WAEC and NECO. He has been researching with several firms, including Bridge Gate Research Consult Ltd, Owerri, Abraka, Port-Harcourt, Lafia, Gboko and New Frontline Industries Research and Publications Ltd, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Robert is an erudite, versatile and experienced young promising and diligent linguist, scholar, researcher, writer and poet, with several works of both print and electronic versions to his credit- papers, international journals and poetry, prose and drama collections, some of which currently await publication, including two anthologies, two novels and a play. He has also attended several local and international conferences. He is of Utugbor royal blood- the family of Chief Robert Idachu Njor of Utugbor, Ika-Ichia, Bekwarra, Cross River State, Nigeria. He is so bent to Bekwarra/African Linguistics, Cultural/Gender Studies, Arts/Humanities, Education, Philosophy/Religion, Politics and Economy, besides general knowledge; writing, researching, travelling and community development/voluntary services.