Nigerian Govt officials, others received N721bn bribe in 2023 – NBS

A fresh report released by the National Bureau of Statistics has indicated that N721bn was received as a bribe by Nigerian public officials in 2023.

The report titled, “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends”, was released by NBS on Thursday.

According to NBS, the N721bn paid in bribes across the country in 2023 amounted to about 0.35 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

The report which was based on a survey conducted with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, stressed that the average cash received by public office holders in 2023 was N8,284, an increase from an average of N5,754 in 2019.

The report read in part, “According to the 2023 survey, the average cash bribe paid was 8,284 Nigerian Naira.

“While the nominal average cash bribe size increased since 2019 (from NGN 5,754), this does not account for inflation. The inflation-adjusted average cash bribe in 2023 was 29 per cent smaller than in 2019 in terms of what could be bought with the money.

“Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly NGN 721 billion (US$1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023, corresponding to 0.35 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria.”

News Telly reports that Nigeria conducted its general elections in 2023. Some opposition parties had alleged that the election which produced president Bola Tinubu, governors and lawmakers was marred by corruption.

Some electoral officials and security agencies were accused of receiving bribes in a bid to allow for alterations of results.