Question

Tribal and military political legacy would be my short answer. Nigeria emerged a democracy in the initial post-colonial period after independence in 1960 from Britain. However within five years, the military had staged a coup. Coup succeeded coup and military dictatorship and corruption became two sides of the Nigerian Naira (local monetary unit).After the formation of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting countries) Nigeria began to see wealth unprecedented in its history. Unfortunately it only served to enrich President Babangida, and later Abacha and their military cabals and relatives. The Hausa North, the Igbo east and the Yoruba south are in language, culture, religion and economic struggle. When governance is weak, it becomes each "man" for himself, his family, his extended family, his tribe and ethnic group. In that are the seeds of Nigeria's problems. However, since 1999 Nigeria has had a continuous period of civilian democracy. It is interesting to note that Nigeria has paid off its debts to the Paris club, last year - the first African nation to do so. With elections in 2007 anything could happen, including a return to military rule. Letus hope not and wish Nigeria all the very best for this April.

Good question!!! I guess you must be a Nigerian to ask this question. I will like to charge you to do you bit as a Nigerian and endeavor to positively influence people around you. I bet you Nigeria will rid itself of corruption when concerned people like you rise up and talk involve and work; together Nigeria will find its way and overcome corruption. visit: http://www.whichwaynigeria.net and leave your comments.

The corruption in Nigeria exists for the same reason as corruption in every country.......GREED. The desire to have more money than you can earn, no matter what you have to do to get it. Tom

Before you know why nigeria is corrupt first find out :why it has a society strata, where the margin between the rich and poor is like the red sea. why its poverty level is high for a country meant to be the giant of Africa, find out why its educational systems are crippled, then if still you have time find out why it has no respects for fundamental rights...its pretty simple, its colonial master taught her to betray her children and rewarded the betrayals till they learnt that accumulation of wealth is the source of power, so the rat race for get-quick scams both in and out of government.. really its like a survival of the fittest.