Prof. Toyin Falola: Corruption hinders governance and institutional growth in Nigeria

Prof. Toyin Falola of the University of Texas, USA, has stated that corruption is a major factor contributing to ineffective governance and institutional weaknesses in Nigeria.

He made this remark on Friday while delivering a convocation lecture at the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, on the topic “Power, Politics, and Policies.”

Falola lamented the detrimental effects of corruption on key public sectors, particularly healthcare and education, and urged for a comprehensive analysis of existing policies like whistleblower programs and anti-corruption agencies to mitigate these issues.

“To reduce corruption and promote a functional government, Nigerians must actively participate in the electoral process and hold leaders accountable,” Falola emphasized. “This requires rejecting money for votes and advocating for transparency and integrity.”

The renowned scholar also proposed that the Power, Politics, and Policies (PPP) course in the Department of Political Science at BSU should be upgraded to a full degree program.

He explained that this would equip students with the necessary skills in technologies, statistics, economics, and data analysis, while exposing them to key theoretical frameworks such as dependency theory, post-colonialism, clientelism, and federalism.

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Falola further stressed the importance of continuous education for civil servants on power, politics, and policies, recognizing the current gap in their understanding of these critical issues.

He argued that this knowledge is essential in addressing the power dynamics fueling insurgency, terrorism, and conflicts between herders and settlers.

He concluded by noting that addressing Nigeria’s structural challenges could pave the way for the country to reach its potential as a stable, prosperous, and equitable nation.