Challenges Of Detecting Bureaucratic Corruption in the Public Sector: A Study of Edo State Bureaucracy

Abstract

Bureaucratic corruption in Nigeria is driven by a variety of sociological, cultural, institutional, economic, historical, and political influences. Consequently, identifying bureaucratic corruption is often not a simple matter and can prove to be extremely challenging. Thus, the study examined the challenges of detecting and curtailing bureaucratic corruption in the public sector; identified cases of corruption within the Edo State bureaucracy and highlighted some control measures put in place by the Edo State government to curtail bureaucratic corruption. This study was grounded in the theory of Neo-Patrimonialism and employed qualitative methodology to gather non-numerical data from relevant literature and subsequently utilised content analysis for its interpretation. The paper argued that tackling bureaucratic corruption was a significant hurdle that required collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, including the government, anti-corruption agencies, the media, religious organisations, and the public, supported by an effective legal framework to regulate public officials' conduct. The author emphasised the need for the government to adopt a range of strategies to combat bureaucratic corruption across all levels of administration. As such, it is crucial for the government and its anti-corruption bodies to implement effective and acceptable tactics. Lastly, the study contended that corrupt public officials in Edo State engage in practices such as ghost payroll schemes, budget manipulation, embezzlement, resource diversion, and tax evasion.

KEYWORDS: Corruption, Bureaucracy, Bureaucratic corruption, neo-patrimonalism

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/15-2-02

Publication date: May 30^th 2025