1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Corruption remains one of the most deeply rooted challenges facing public service delivery and institutional development in Nigeria. It manifests in various forms such as bribery, embezzlement, abuse of office, and favoritism, which collectively undermine the effectiveness of public institutions. According to Transparency International (2023), Nigeria continues to rank among the countries with high levels of perceived corruption, with public service institutions identified as some of the most affected. The entrenched nature of corruption in the public sector has contributed to the widespread inefficiency, poor service delivery, and general mistrust in government institutions.
The Nigerian public service is designed to be the administrative machinery through which government policies and developmental programs are implemented. However, in practice, its performance has been hampered by a culture of corruption that distorts institutional procedures and weakens accountability. Ogbeidi (2012) asserted that corruption is both a symptom and a cause of weak governance in Nigeria, and that its prevalence within the public service has led to the erosion of professional ethics, poor staff performance, and mismanagement of public resources (Ogbeidi, 2012).
According to the World Bank (2020), corruption involves the misuse of authority for personal benefit, typically at the expense of public interest. In the context of public services, corruption weakens institutions, distorts public policy, undermines accountability, and diminishes citizens' trust in government systems. It is especially detrimental in developing countries like Nigeria, where resources are already limited and the need for effective governance is urgent (World Bank, 2020).
In Nigeria, corruption has become deeply entrenched in the public service sector, influencing both administrative processes and policy implementation. Public servants at various levels are frequently accused of unethical conduct, ranging from the manipulation of recruitment processes to the diversion of public funds. The Nigerian public service, which is meant to serve as the engine for national development, often struggles under the weight of corrupt practices that divert resources away from their intended purposes and weaken organizational structures (Akinyemi & Olamide, 2021).
Adewale (2011) reported that the Nigerian public sector suffers from systemic inefficiencies largely attributed to corrupt practices at all levels of administration. These practices often involve the diversion of funds, manipulation of contract awards, inflation of budgets, and deliberate delays in service provision. The end result is the loss of productivity within organizations, as resources are wasted or misappropriated, and civil servants lack the motivation to perform optimally. Public institutions are thereby transformed into avenues for personal enrichment rather than engines of national growth (Adewale, 2011). According to Lawal and Tobi (2006), corruption in the public sector contributes to a significant decline in public confidence, reduces employee morale, and impairs the ability of organizations to meet set objectives. They affirmed that where there is a lack of transparency and accountability, productivity is bound to suffer, and public expectations remain unmet. This study is set against the backdrop of exploring how corrupt practices affect organizational productivity in Nigeria's public service and the implications for national development.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that public organizations in Nigeria are frequently plagued by cases of bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and misuse of office, which erode public trust and hamper progress. On the other hand, corruption nurtures an environment where impunity thrives, and ethical conduct is disregarded. The ripple effect is a systemic dysfunction in which organizations fail to achieve their mandates, resulting in poor policy outcomes, underdevelopment, and growing public dissatisfaction. In such an environment, and innovation and progress are stifled.
Furthermore, the World Bank (2022) reports that corruption reduces public sector productivity and contributes to economic inefficiencies that deepen poverty and inequality. In addition, organizational productivity in public institutions is heavily reliant on transparency, accountability and the commitment of personnel to organizational goals. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the impact of corrupt practices on organizational productivity in Nigeria's public services.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to critically examine the extent to which corrupt practices impact organizational productivity in the Nigerian public service. It seeks to evaluate the forms of corruption that exist within public institutions, their effects on institutional efficiency, and to recommend possible solutions that could enhance productivity and promote accountability in governance.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of corrupt practices on organizational productivity in the Nigerian public service. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the prevalent forms of corruption in Nigerian public service organizations.
- To examine the effect of corrupt practices on employee performance and organizational output.
- To assess the effectiveness of existing anti-corruption measures within public institutions.
- To propose practical strategies for mitigating corruption and improving productivity in public service.
1.5 Research Questions
Based on the objectives above, the following research questions will guide the study:
- What are the common forms of corruption found in Nigerian public service organizations?
- How do corrupt practices affect employee performance and productivity in public service?
- How effective are the current anti-corruption measures in curbing corruption within public institutions?
- What strategies can be implemented to reduce corruption and improve productivity in public organizations?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between corrupt practices and employee productivity in Nigerian public service
- H1: There is a significant relationship between corrupt practices and employee productivity in Nigerian public service
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Existing anti-corruption measures are not effective in improving organizational productivity in Nigerian public institutions
- H1: Existing anti-corruption measures are effective in improving organizational productivity in Nigerian public institutions
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will be beneficial to Civil Society Organizations will be better equipped to advocate for transparency, accountability, and institutional reform. This study will also contribute meaningfully to the growing body of knowledge on public sector management and institutional integrity in Nigeria.
Furthermore, academic researchers and students of public administration will benefit from the study's contribution to the literature on corruption and productivity. It will serve as a useful reference for further research and debate on governance issues in developing countries, particularly in the African context.
Lastly, this study will provide a foundation for future interventions aimed at rebuilding public trust and restoring the capacity of Nigeria's public service to function as an engine of national development. Also, citizens will become more informed about the negative impact of corruption and the importance of holding public officers accountable.
1.8 Scope of Study
This study focuses on selected ministries and agencies in Lagos State Civil Service. It will examine how corruption within these public service institutions affects the productivity of employees, service delivery, and the achievement of organizational goals. The scope includes different departments within the Lagos State Government and covers administrative staff from junior to senior levels.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
A study of this nature is bound to experience certain problems as such the constraints imposed on the research include:
- Time Constraints: A study of this nature needs relatively long time during which information for accurate or at least near accurate inference could be drawn. The period of the study was short, time posed as constraints to the research.
- Financial Constraints: The research would have extended the survey to other area at the empirical level, but limitation as included cost of transportation to the source of material and the cost of time setting of the already completed work.
- Lack of Cooperation: Many of the respondents are usually aggressive on issue that border cooperation among the respondents border.
- Response Bias: The study will involve surveys and interviews with cooperative managers and members. Response bias may occur if respondents provide socially desirable answers or if there is reluctance to disclose negative financial information due to privacy concerns or fear of repercussions.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Corruption:
Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, often in the form of bribery, embezzlement, or favoritism (Transparency International, 2023). In this study, it refers to unethical practices within public service institutions that obstruct performance and efficiency.
Organizational Productivity:
Organizational productivity is the measure of how efficiently resources are used to achieve institutional goals. According to Robbins and Coulter (2018), it reflects the output of an organization relative to the input used in producing it.
Public Service:
Public service refers to government-run institutions established to implement public policies and deliver services to citizens (Adamolekun, 2002).
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