THE IRONY OF NIGERIA’S FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION: AN APPRAISAL OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S FIRST EIGHT MONTHS IN OFFICE

THE IRONY OF NIGERIA’S FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION: AN APPRAISAL OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S FIRST EIGHT MONTHS IN OFFICE

ABSTRACT

Nigeria is known for its enormous corruption “manifestations” that afflict its administration in addition to its economic and human resource potential.

and organizations. Transparency International and other international watchdog organizations have “decorated” the nation with a top 10 spot in the league of corrupt nations during the previous few decades. Muhammadu Buhari’s mission of replacing the Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, which was notorious for corruption “manifestations” and impunity in the 2015 presidential elections, was made “easier” by the inclusion of anti-corruption in his campaign platform. This essay evaluates Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign during the first eight months of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. In the article, it is claimed that Buhari’s anti-graft policy in its initial eight months was ineffective and misconceived. For sharp focus and differentiation between the murky lines of corruption and its manifestation, a theoretical framework is used. In the course of doing this research, primary evidences in the form of interviews and official reports are supplemented by secondary and tertiary evidences obtained from newspaper reports, textbooks, journal publications, as well as online sources.