RULE OF LAW AND NIGERIA’S ANTI-GRAFT WAR: THE EDUCATIONAL IMPERATIVE AND ELITE THEORY INTERROGATION 

 

Hannatu Kungaba^1*, Jide Ibietan², Ugochukwu Abasilim³

¹Ms, Department of Political Science & International Relations,

Covenant University, NIGERIA, hannatu.kungabapgs@stu.cu.edu.ng

²Dr, Department of Political Science & International Relations,

Covenant University, NIGERIA, olajide.ibietan@covenantuniversity.edu.ng;

³Dr, Department of Political Science & International Relations,

Covenant University, NIGERIA, ugochukwu.abasilim@covenantuniversity.edu.ng

*Corresponding Author

 

Abstract

The paper examines the efficacy of rule of law as an instrument for prosecuting the anti-graft war in Nigeria. Predicated on literature, it is observable that attempts at reducing the incidence of corruption (through various legislations, policies and institutions) in Nigeria’s public life predates independence. However, these have not yielded the desired results. Using elite theory as framework of analyses backed by secondary data and textual analyses, the paper identified that the unimpressive impact or lack of vigour of the rule of law on the anti-graft war in Nigeria is traceable to (governing and bureaucratic) elite complicity and weak institutions of governance. Attitudinal re-orientation via educational imperatives on the part of political and bureaucratic elites anchored on rejuvenated public institutions would attenuate these dysfunctions. Other recommendations of the paper are capable of addressing the issues identified.

Keywords: Anti-Graft, Education, Law, Military, Democracy, Nigeria