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Corruption and socio-political economic structures: a case of Nigeria

Olatunde Julius Otusanya (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria)
Sarah G. Lauwo (Institute of Management Studies, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, UK)

Journal of Financial Crime

ISSN: 1359-0790

Article publication date: 7 January 2019

711

Abstract

Purpose

“Corrupt practices” is a recurring feature of media coverage. The paper seeks to encourage debates about the influence of institutional structures on agency to break away from methodological individualism. This paper aims to encourage reflections on the role of both the structures and actors which have shaped the continuous expansion of corrupt practices in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Whilst recognising that deviant behaviour by some individuals is always possible, this paper has rejected methodological individualism and shows the value of locating anti-social practices within the broader socio-political and historical context. Within a socio-political framework, this study adopts the theories of critical realism, developmental state and globalisation to understand the relationship between social agency and society, focusing upon the institutional structures and the role of social actors.

Findings

The evidence shows that socio-political and economic development, politics, power, history and globalisation have continued to reproduce and transform the institutional structures and actors which have facilitated anti-social practices in Nigeria. The paper concludes that large sums of government revenue have been undermined by the anti-social practices of the Nigerian political and economic elite (both local and international), which have enriched a few, but impoverished most, Nigerians.

Practical implications

As a consequence of recurring corrupt practices in Nigeria, there is a pressing need for reform to curb these practices which have had, and continue to have, a serious effect on Nigeria and its future development.

Originality/value

It provides a framework for understanding and explaining the inter-relations of actors and institutional structures and the linkages and influences that have shaped the practices in Nigeria.

Keywords

Citation

Otusanya, O.J. and Lauwo, S.G. (2019), "Corruption and socio-political economic structures: a case of Nigeria", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 330-371. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-01-2018-0003

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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