A recent survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed that Nigerians paid a total of N721 billion in cash bribes to public officials in 2023. This amount represents approximately 0.35% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to the survey, the average cash bribe paid was N8,284, with bribes paid in public officials’ offices and on the street accounting for 35% and 36% of all paid bribes, respectively. The survey also found that 11% of bribes were paid in respondents’ own homes, while 7% were paid in public buildings such as restaurants, malls, or stations.
The report noted that an estimated 87 million bribes were paid in 2023, with an average of 0.8 bribes paid per adult. The frequency of bribery was found to be higher in rural areas than in urban areas, with 5.8 bribes paid on average by each bribe payer in rural areas compared to 4.5 bribes in urban areas.
The survey also revealed that 27% of Nigerians who had contact with public officials in the past year paid a bribe, with 70% of those who were asked to pay a bribe refusing to do so at least once. The report noted that bribery is becoming less accepted in Nigeria, with fewer citizens reporting negative consequences after refusing bribe requests.
The NBS report recommended that the government prioritize its corruption prevention and enforcement efforts on institutions and public officials most relevant to ordinary citizens’ lives.
