ICT and the challenge of anti-corruption fight in Nigeria

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT), has been identified as a viable tool for diminishing corruption by enhancing trans­parency and accountability of government administration. Many roles have been attributed to ICT, and one of them is that through governance systems it can support the fight against corruption by raising accountability through digital footprints, raise transparency by publicizing regulations and fees, and reduce face-face interaction where most requests for bribes usually take place. A major hindrance in dealing with public sector or government bodies is corruption. No doubt, corruption has been around since time immemorial and indeed, may well be an engrained trait of human nature; that is why, most governments and technologists are interested in figuring out what means may be created to combat it. Therefore, high levels of corruption are present where institutional mechanisms to combat corruption are weak or not used and proper safeguards are needed by improving the enforcement of rules which is clearly the best way to combat corruption completely.

Key words: Corruption, Anti-corruption, ICT, E-governance