Socio-Economic Determinants and Implication of Crime Rates in Lagos State, Nigeria, West Africa

Abstract

This study examines the socio-economic determinants and implications of crime rates in Lagos State, Nigeria in West Africa. The study is quantitative in nature. As a constituent of the sampling, the researchers distributed a questionnaire to over 800 respondents and analyzed 600 responses by using Cluster-random sampling techniques. Also,  multinomial probit analysis was applied by using respondents ‘participation in white-collar crime as dependent variable, and attitudinal-predisposition statements (dealing with age, ethnicity, gender, education, unemployment, loss of sovereign, economic hardship, political orientation and aspiration to become rich overnight) as the independent variables resulted in significant interactions and effects. The study revealed that age, race, gender, education, unemployment, loss of sovereignty, economic hardship and aspiration to become rich overnight have influenced the behavior of individuals to engage in crime. Furthermore, the study illustrated that high crime rates discourages investors, foreign direct investments, grants, stable economic systems, which threaten the strength of state security. The study recommended that the Government of Nigeria, Non-Governmental Agencies and other stakeholders should strengthen security efforts and security systems through the development and implementation of effective policies that can generate better security outcomes for the citizens and the country.

Keywords: Socio-economic factors, Crime rates, Probit analysis, Sovereignty, Investors and Education