70% of Nigerians reportedly refused to pay bribes on at least one occasion in 2023, according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report, titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” highlights the growing resistance to bribery among citizens.
The study found that 42% of Nigerians cited moral objections as their primary reason for refusing bribes.
Also, 23% were motivated by the pressures of the rising cost of living, while 21% had alternative ways to achieve their goals without resorting to corruption.
The report noted the highest bribery refusal rate in the North-West, where 76% of individuals resisted paying bribes.
All regions across the country recorded refusal rates exceeding 60%, indicating a nationwide trend towards rejecting corruption.
Public tolerance for bribery has also diminished, with only 23% of Nigerians considering bribery acceptable for expediting administrative processes, down from 29% in 2019.
Furthermore, fewer citizens reported facing negative consequences for refusing bribes, with figures dropping from 49% in 2019 to 38% in 2023.
This suggests a growing empowerment among Nigerians to challenge corrupt officials without fear of retaliation.
Despite these positive trends, the NBS report highlighted that over N700 billion was still paid in cash bribes to public officials in 2023.
Corruption remains the fourth most pressing issue in the country, following the cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment.
The report also underscored a decline in public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
In 2019, more than half of Nigerians believed the government was effective in combating corruption, but by 2023, this confidence had fallen to less than a third.
The NBS findings offer a glimmer of hope for Nigeria’s fight against corruption, showcasing a public increasingly willing to stand up against bribery and demand accountability from their leaders.