Greed, Corruption and the Nigerian Malaise: Why We Are an Embarrassment to Ourselves.

Written by George Omagbemi Sylvaester |
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“How Self-Interest Has Undermined Nigeria’s Progress and What It Reveals About Our National Character.”

No nation’s identity is static, though it is forged in the crucible of history, culture, values and collective behaviour. Yet, for Nigeria, that crucible has, more often than not, revealed not our finest steel but our deepest corrosion. Today, billions around the world look at Nigeria not with admiration, but with exasperating disappointmentant not because we lack potential, but because we collectively betray it. The uncomfortable truth is this: Nigerians are an embarrassment to Nigeria when greed, corruption and self-interest become defining national traits.

This is not a cheap rhetorical flourish. It is a sober judgment backed by hard data, global indices and the frank observations of respected leaders and institutions.

A Nation Rankled by Corruption. The most authoritative global measure of corruption is the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published annually by Transparency International. In the 2024 CPI, Nigeria scored a shocking 26 out of 100, placing it 140th out of 180 countries and among the world’s most corrupt nations. Low scores and rankings in this index signify a public sector perceived as deeply corrupt, where abuse of entrusted power for private gain is systemic rather than exceptional.

To put that into perspective: countries with similar scores include Iraq and Madagascar, while nations renowned for governance integrity (like Denmark and Finland) score above 88.

This is not just a poor showing and it is an indictment of a culture in which the stealing of public resources is so normalized that it has become a defining feature of our national identity.

Greed, Not Resources, Is the Real Curse. Nigeria’s overwhelming wealth in human and natural resources should have made it the envy of nations. We possess vast oil reserves, energy and a youthful population with boundless entrepreneurial energy. Yet, instead of translating into widespread prosperity, this bounty has become a resource curse with a situation in which wealth fuels CORRUPTION rather than DEVELOPMENT.

Institutions meant to safeguard the public interest are instead captured by private interests. Billions of dollars from oil revenues, subsidies and contracts vanish into private pockets or are siphoned overseas. Even when recovered, these funds tell a story of how much was stolen in the first place. The United States recently returned $52.8 million in assets linked to a former Nigerian oil minister accused of embezzlement, underscoring how leadership greed has internationalized our shame.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (a figure deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s post-military history) has stated bluntly that greed, selfishness and ignorance are the root causes of Nigeria’s malaise, saying that these forces undermine our collective destiny.

When Greed Becomes a National Habit. Greed manifests itself not only among political elites, but across society. It shapes decisions, behaviour and norms. For too many, the overriding question is: “WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?” rather than “WHAT’S BEST FOR US ALL?”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has noted that greed, laziness and peer pressure drive many youths into fraud and economic crimes. These are not isolated cases, but widespread issues that shape the country’s international image.

This is not merely a problem of a few “BAD APPLES” but it is a CULTURAL PATHOLOGY that erodes trust, destroys livelihoods and undermines institutions. When corruption becomes normalised, honesty becomes a liability and greed becomes an expected behaviour rather than an aberration.

The Economic Toll of Corruption and Greed.
Greed is not only immoral but economically destructive. Transparency International’s CPI and numerous global studies show a clear negative correlation between corruption and economic growth. Countries perceived as more corrupt attract far less foreign investment, suffer from weaker institutional trust, and have lower GDP per capita.

In Nigeria’s case, despite being Africa’s largest economy by GDP, its GDP per capita remains among the lowest on the continent and a sign that wealth is concentrated in the hands of few, while the majority languish in poverty. Corruption diverts public funds away from essential services like healthcare, education, power and infrastructure these sectors that should form the backbone of prosperity.

A Crisis of Trust and Values. When citizens see leaders behaving selfishly, it erodes trust in the entire social contract. Surveys reveal that while most Nigerians disapprove of corruption, many tolerate or rationalize it as a necessary evil in a dysfunctional system. This is tragic because it means the very fabric of civic morality is fraying.

A society that tolerates petty bribery, nepotism and embezzlement in public life also tolerates it in business, family and community. This betrayal of collective interest for personal advancement slowly transforms national identity into caricature.

Voices of Conscience: Scholars and Experts Speak
Renowned scholars have long warned of the dangers of institutionalised corruption. Pauline Baker, former President of the Global Fund for Peace, described Nigeria as an archetype of the “RESOURCE CURSE”, where wealth without accountability fuels corruption that cripples development.

Similarly, experts from Chatham House point out that corruption in Nigeria is not an isolated phenomenon but deeply embedded in social norms and expectations, impacting every level of governance and daily life.

These are not abstract academic critiques, they are reflections of a lived reality where greed has become systemic and self-interest undermines collective prosperity.

Cultural Change, Not Just Institutional Reform. To claim that “Nigerians are an embarrassment to Nigeria” is not to condemn individuals wholesale, but to call out a destructive culture that prioritises self-enrichment over national wellbeing. Change must be cultural as much as it is institutional.

The whistle-blowing policy introduced by Nigeria in 2016 (offering rewards for exposing corruption) is one initiative aimed at shifting behaviour, but it is not enough by itself.

Nigerians must reclaim values like integrity, accountability and patriotism. We must demand transparency from leaders, reject the notion that corruption is an acceptable survival strategy, and foster a culture that honours hard work and honesty.

Final Take: A Call to National Consciousness. We can no longer hide behind excuses. Our low ranking on the corruption index, the billions lost to embezzlement and the societal tolerance for greed are not just statistics, they are the everyday realities that have made Nigeria an embarrassment to itself, but this is also a moment for introspection and renewal. If we confront our faults honestly, embrace accountability and reject greed at every level, Nigeria can still rise to fulfill its promise.

As former President Obasanjo said, the problem is not destiny; it is human shortcomings like GREED and SELFISHNESS that have chained us.

The path forward demands courage and it is the courage to do what is right even when it is hard, the courage to serve others before self and the courage to restore Nigeria’s honour not through empty slogans, but through integrity and collective resolve.

Only then will we transform from an EMBARRASSMENT to an INSPIRATION.