Chatham House, a prominent UK-based policy institute, has refuted recent claims by President Bola Tinubu that his administration has eliminated corruption in Nigeria. In a new report, the institute asserts that systemic corruption remains a major obstacle to Nigeria’s economic growth and institutional integrity, despite over two decades of reform efforts.
The report, authored by Dr. Leena Hoffmann (Associate Fellow, Africa Programme) and Tommy Hilton (Comment Editor), highlights how corruption is deeply embedded across Nigeria’s political, judicial, and administrative systems. It notes that corruption not only diverts public funds from vital sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, but also fuels poverty, inequality, and social instability.
This assessment sharply contrasts with President Tinubu’s recent remarks in Brazil, where he credited his administration’s economic reforms with eradicating corruption. “No more corruption,” Tinubu declared, claiming that Nigeria now has more funds available for the economy.
However, Chatham House contends that such optimism is misplaced. Citing extensive research from its Social Norms and Accountable Governance (SNAG) project, funded by the MacArthur Foundation, the report describes corruption as a “defining feature” of Nigeria’s governance. It points out that while most Nigerians disapprove of corruption, many still engage in it, viewing it as necessary for survival in a dysfunctional system.
Key findings from the report include:
▪︎Nigeria ranks among the 40 most corrupt countries globally, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
▪︎On the World Bank’s Control of Corruption Index, Nigeria places 35th from the bottom.
▪︎Within Africa, it ranks 33rd out of 54 countries in the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance.
The report links corruption to Nigeria’s weak GDP per capita, poor public services, and widespread poverty—affecting over 54% of the population. It also warns that corruption undermines the rule of law, fosters impunity, and erodes public trust in institutions, particularly law enforcement and the judiciary.
“Corruption has eroded the basis for Nigeria’s economic prosperity,” the report states. “It fuels a culture where self-interest trumps public good, further weakening national unity and societal cohesion.”
Moreover, the culture of clientelism and patronage—where access to opportunities is determined by political and social connections—has normalized corrupt behavior. Many Nigerians, the report says, see bribery and favoritism as the only viable means to access basic services or economic opportunities.
The report also attributes the persistence of corruption to:
▪︎Decades of military rule, which weakened democratic institutions;
▪︎Underfunded anti-corruption agencies;
▪︎Persistent political interference.
While Nigerians largely acknowledge the harm caused by corruption, trust in public institutions remains critically low. Survey data from Chatham House show widespread distrust in government, police, and the judiciary, with many perceiving courts as politically compromised and lacking impartiality.
The report concludes that without systemic reforms, stronger institutions, and cultural shifts in public expectations and accountability, Nigeria’s struggle with corruption will continue to hinder its progress and global standing.
