Corruption as an impediment in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria: A Critical Reflection

Abstract

Since the return of Nigeria to democratically elected government in May, 1999, there has been a continuous and desperate search for solutions to the enormous development problems confronting the country. One of these problems is corruption which has resisted all medications. This menace is practically found everywhere and is carried out by almost every institution in the state, be they political, military, religious, traditional, judicial institutions. This paper investigates the issue of corruption as it affects the achievement of sustainable development goals in Nigerian. Using the Structural Functional approach, the paper shows how Corruption has, to a large extent affected all efforts made in achieving sustainable development goals in Nigeria. Data for this study was sourced through secondary sources and the study found out that if corruption is not checked, the laudable objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals will not be achieved in Nigeria. Since development cannot strive under corrupt environment, the paper is of the opinion that, to achieve the desired goal of development in Nigeria, we must amongst other things, fight corruption at all levels. To do this the paper strongly recommends corroborative efforts from both leaders and followers. So long as corruption continues to be perpetrated by Nigerians at all levels, the paper reveals that Nigeria will continue to drift further from the Promised Land of Development.