The way leaders emerge in Nigeria and the paths the rich have taken to achieve commercial success demonstrate a value system inferior to that espoused by the older generation for the youth to follow. The youth now doubt the viability of ethical values and conclude they need to lower their standards too. They observe that corruption and impunity are not actively prevented in Nigerian society and develop a social tolerance for the vice.

The resolve to uphold formal and social controls against corruption is then weakened, and the threat of sanctions doesn’t deter them because those who get punished for corruption are few, and they are typically from the opposition or those who were too tight-fisted with the proceeds.

Many therefore take undue advantage expecting no consequences. This creates perverse incentives as the urge to do the same pushes many to seek power leaving only a few with any appetite to hold those with power accountable in Nigeria. At the Integrity Organisation and the Convention on Business Integrity, we are amongst those few, and we employ data and evidence in this quest.