Nairalanders , can we look a little away from our social-political, economic problems for a while? And let's Use this medium to profer solutions to our problems in Nigeria,

I start by saying:

The problem: Corruption is increasingly recognized as a preeminent problem in the developing world. Bribery, extortion, fraud, kickbacks, and collusion have resulted in retarded economies, predator elites, and political instability,

My proposed solution: In a country where every politician is charge-sheeted, where bribery is the code name for getting any work done through bureaucracy, common people seem to no longer bother about such mundane issues.

If one reviews the data a little carefully, it is not difficult to note that the countries at the top of the list have one thing in common (irrespective of their demography). The least corrupt countries are economically more free, with a less intrusive government and much less regulations. Similarly, the countries that are the most corrupt also have something in common: They have a burgeoning government that endorses protectionist policies armed with tariffs, quotas, prohibitions and similar such evils.

To put it in very simple words, countries that have a free market policy are the least corrupt, whereas countries that are dependant on government are the most corrupt.

This then is the simple truth about corruption, though some people will scoff at this idea. They have not only placed the government to the ugly status of demigod, but also look up to the government for solutions of all social evils. The government is not the solution for corruption, but it is definitely the precursor of corruption.

The best example of how a market-driven economy weeds out corruption, compared to a government-dominated country, is the “Enron-UTI” saga. Enron, one of the wealthiest companies in the world, as well as its auditor (accounting giant Arthur Andersen), both went bankrupt as soon as the accounting scandal unfolded. The punishment for fraudulence was swift and lethal. In a market-driven economy, consumer confidence is the cornerstone of success, and once it is breached, it is an unpardonable offense.

The bureaucracy in Nigeria today is actually a sophisticated name for kleptocracy. These thick-skinned people not only take bribes shamelessly, but have also started considering such payments as their rightful earnings. A small example in this perspective--It takes approximately three to four months to secure a simple passport and if you want it fast you can get it if only after paying a hefty bribe, (not less than N15,000)! Instead of this government monopoly, if we had competitive agencies issuing passports, it would have taken at most a week to get a passport without paying any bribes!

Adam Smith in his famous book The Wealth of Nations had postulated the primary role of the government as providing security to the citizens against internal and foreign aggressions. But the current spate of defense corruption raises doubt whether the government is capable of performing this basic function satisfactorily or not!!

The policemen, municipal authorities and political dadas (supposed to provide protection to common people) extort a huge sum of money from vendors, rickshaw pullers, taxi drivers, etc. every year. The misery of these free agents of trade can be solved by not viewing them as a nuisance, but including them in the town planning.

Heard of the “trickle up approach”? The grants given by the World Bank and IMF are government-to-government transfers. The leakages in the system have transformed the economic principle of the “trickle down approach” to the “trickle up approach.” One famous economist aptly remarked about this: The aid given by the World Bank and the IMF passes from the poor people of the developed countries to the rich people of the underdeveloped countries!

Now if we accept that government is the main predecessor of corruption, there is a solution to the problem as well. Suppose there was no restriction on immigration. Any person can stay in any country he or she wishes. Rational people will prefer to stay in that country where the government is limited and efficient, taxes are lower, etc. Now suppose on the basis of these criteria, a lot of Nigerians move to other countries. The government will suddenly find itself bankrupt, as there are no people left to pay taxes.
This competition among the governments of different countries to attract people will not only help to weed out corruption, but will also foster a limited, efficient, stable government. If we can have competition among consumer durables, why can’t we have competition among governments? This might seem a very far-fetched idea, but it is not an impossible one.

Similar is the case for legalizing drugs and prostitution, which will not only bring an end to the unaccounted for, uncontrolled drug and women trafficking but will help to bring the problem under control.

Free society is of course not a perfect society. There will always be some murderers, rapists, and drug addicts in a free society. But the three pillars of liberty, property rights and free trade will not only help to curb corruption but also foster a sustainable and civil society.

@Ladapo


I fully agree with you about freeing up the economy. Government Administration has no business buying and selling goods and services. The main culprits here though, are the people themselves. They have grown so used to Subsidies and Government owned and sponsored industries that they are absolutely unwilling to change without a deadly fight.

I agree with you a little on the issue of legalising prostitution, but for drugs, there is only one type of drug that can be legalised in any country for now, and that is cannabis and care must be taken in doing it. You failed to mention gambling I think. Football gambling if legalised and well structured, can fetch Nigeria nothing less than $4 billion annually.


By the way, you do not put the question of legalising prostitution, drugs and gambling in open discussion because majority of the public would view it as offensive.


And how in God's name did you finish reading "The Nature And Sources Of The Wealth Of Nations"? I've been on it for weeks.

@Ladapo


I fully agree with you about freeing up the economy. Government Administration has no business buying and selling goods and services. The main culprits here though, are the people themselves. They have grown so used to Subsidies and Government owned and sponsored industries that they are absolutely unwilling to change without a deadly fight.

I agree with you a little on the issue of legalising prostitution, but for drugs, there is only one type of drug that can be legalised in any country for now, and that is cannabis and care must be taken in doing it. You failed to mention gambling I think. Football gambling if legalised and well structured, can fetch Nigeria nothing less than $4 billion annually.


By the way, you do not put the question of legalising prostitution, drugs and gambling in open discussion because majority of the public would view it as offensive.


And how in God's name did you finish reading "The Nature And Sources Of The Wealth Of Nations"? I've been on it for weeks.

all in all, constitution of the land has become the tool with which the leaders remote control the nation.
our law makers have their prices for any amendement and based on the prices, they do not care about the effect on the citizens.
nigeria with such a versed population is trying to close the economy just for the selfish interests of a few rich people.
importation of furniture for example is banned in nigeria but non of our leaders is using locally manufactured furniture in his house even in their offices.
until the constitution of nigeria retrieve the voting rights of her citizens and re-validate the votes of the voters, only then will qualified persons be elected into our houses and that alone will make our laws healthy again.
this in effect will bring back the quality of leadership and the idea of amending the country's constitution just to suit an individual will be erased.
billions was spent on the aborted third term which wanted to use the constitutional amendments but failed.
one will look at the pdp and their constitutional amendments, it has nothing but a selfish intention of the champanzee to remain in power.

I must say here that corruption must be fought mainly among the everyday masses.

As we see people engaging in corruption, we must attack them with all passion because it is all these "masses" who kill, steal, destroy, vandalise, bribe, lie, deceive, pretend, connive and tamper scales that will become politicians in the shortest possible time.


Let's change our neighbours because sometimes if you listen to their ambitions of if given the opportunity, you'll realise they would do worse.

Nice trend

I think the best way to battle corruption is to start from the top (Government). The system is full of all forms of political corruption bribery, nepotism, money laundering etc and the end result is kleptocracy. corruption is so common that it is expected when ordinary businesses or citizens interact with government officials which shouldn't be the case.
As someone said

until the constitution of Nigeria retrieve the voting rights of her citizens and re-validate the votes of the voters, only then will qualified persons be elected into our houses and that alone will make our laws healthy again.
this in effect will bring back the quality of leadership and the idea of amending the country's constitution just to suit an individual will be erased.

When the correct leader is in place and amends the constitution to 100%  intolerance to corruption then Nigeria is on its way forward. We actually need a mean Government (respecter of nobody in terms of corruption) where even if the president or relatives is found guilty of any form of corruption they go to jail or face the consequences. We need to learn from other see China a booming economy where a minister was found guilty of corruption, he was sentenced to life in prisionment and he committed suicide cause he couldn't bear the shame /disgrace. This will make the citizens wake up and change their habits.

must say here that corruption must be fought mainly among the everyday masses.

As we see people engaging in corruption, we must attack them with all passion because it is all these "masses" who kill, steal, destroy, vandalise, bribe, lie, deceive, pretend, connive and tamper scales that will become politicians in the shortest possible time.


Let's change our neighbours because sometimes if you listen to their ambitions of if given the opportunity, you'll realise they would do worse.

I do not think that is the best way. The masses are simply following the steps of the leaders. When the head is sick the whole body is sick. How can u and I start attacking the masses when the Government officials ( policemen) whose job is to make sure everyone is law abiding her the main culprits. We attacking the masses means we taking the law into our hands and that would not solve the problem we will just continue in the same circle. Bad Leadership.Corruption is the main thing killing the society, i think when thats under a minimal level Naija is moving forward.

Change of orientation,people got to realise that what they don't finish today,they will tomorrow,corruption is like a boomerang,it comes back to the thrower.This is where fundamentalism comes in,people got to realise why they have the breath of life,that it is not for pulling apart but for pulling together,let's stop blaming the devil and demons for our ignorance and short-sightedness,of course,a curse is a generational ignorance and perpetual laziness,get of your black asses and make things right.

How to battle corruption abi? Let's take a cue from China. Otherwise we go dey even go backwards

Public execution and recovery of every single kobo will go a long way to deter many people from engaging in it to begin with.

Any ex or present ruler of Nigeria should be apprehended at once and sent to "Guantanamo Bay" for terroristic activities carried out on the Nigerian treasury.   IBB especially.  Then we can go down the line.  Just start from the top!  If not these baby looters would never think of any seriousness in Ribadu and his comical characters.

Give them options to leave Nigeria like Idi Amin to die in exile.  No worse punishment for egotistical, hero worshipping Nigerians would surfice.  Nigerians love to make "big man" and show off their loot in Nigeria. No need for trials since we all know that rice is mostly white.  Most cannot survive living outside of Nigeria.  A dose of lawfullness in a foreign country and isolation will make them human before they die.  No execution-----just good old exile to see how much they will last outside of Nigeria.