Whistleblowing Policy Against Corruption: The Case of Nigeria

Introduction

Corruption is a global phenomenon. No region is immune from it. Most countries of the world are plagued by the hydra-headed monster. Everywhere around the globe, it is common knowledge that corruption stifles economic growth and undermines development as resources meant for the progress of a nation are stolen by a privileged few. It is for this reason, that concerned citizens in most climes often move against all known forms of corrupt practices and various strategies are deployed to combat the scourge. Though a global problem, its negative effects are more felt in underdeveloped societies.

Nigeria is a developing country endowed with abundant human and natural resources but real development has eluded the nation owing to endemic corruption and a lack of purposeful leadership. It is sad to note that almost all aspects of the nation’s life are afflicted by corruption. Corruption is said to be responsible for the high level of poverty in the country and Africa at large. As a result of large-scale corruption, the economy of Nigeria has over the years witnessed stunted growth; various sectors are underfunded and neglected with citizens at the receiving end (Oluikpe, 2018; Babalola, 2019).

The regime of President Muhammadu Buhari came into power with a commitment to fight corruption to a standstill having realized the enormous threats it poses to the nation’s survival. During his pre-election campaign in London, the president had said “There will be no confusion as to where I stand on corruption”, adding that “the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration”. In one forum after another, he was always quick to point out his administration’s determination to rid Nigeria of cancerous corruption and impunity in public office. How far he has been able to achieve this is a matter of conjecture.

The president’s assumption of office was followed by the launch of a vigorous anti-graft campaign with an alarm that “if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria”. The fear of corruption became so obvious that the “body language”¹ of the president assumed a warning signal to those engaged in graft. Apart from launching some strategies to tackle corruption, the Buhari’s administration came up with an innovative whistleblowing policy, which was unveiled on December 21, 2016, by Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, a former minister of finance. The whistleblowing policy was one of the creative additions to the fight against corruption by the federal government.

This chapter, therefore, examines the whistleblowing policy and corruption in Nigeria. The objectives of the chapter are:

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  To highlight the benefits of the whistleblowing policy to Nigeria.

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  To show why Nigerians are no longer blowing the whistle.

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  To stress the need for government to legalize the whistleblowing policy.