LAGOS: The nation continues to grapple with a significant level of corruption, primarily stemming from a fundamental lack of trust prevalent in the society. In this environment, those who are governed often find it challenging to place faith in their leaders, leading to a mindset where individuals prioritize their own personal gains over the collective good of the community.
This assertion was made by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Olufunsho Omobitan, during the delivery of the institution’s 97th inaugural lecture, which provided a platform for discussing critical social issues.
The title of his lecture was “The Logic in Corruption and Development: Is Corruption Bad? Is Development Good? Credence and Perception,” which suggests an exploration of the complex relationship between corruption and societal advancement.
Professor Omobitan emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that it plays a vital role in fostering levels of trust among citizens towards the government and various individuals within society at large. He urged for an increase in transparency not just in governance but also in the private lives of individuals, suggesting that this could significantly enhance community trust.
The professor also articulated the strong interconnection between poverty and corruption, arguing that corruption often dictates the level of poverty experienced in a country. At the same time, he pointed out that prevalent poverty can fuel further corrupt practices, thus creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.
In his discussion on potential solutions aimed at addressing both corruption and poverty, he noted an ongoing concern by policymakers regarding the urgent need to lower poverty levels. This aim aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, which have gained international attention and commitment. He highlighted the necessity of establishing adequate systems that facilitate the fair distribution of wealth alongside effective measures to reduce unemployment. Such initiatives would not only alleviate poverty but also diminish the corrupt practices that plague society, ultimately leading to increased developmental outcomes.
While Professor Omobitan acknowledged that corruption might sometimes expedite processes—such as getting faster medical attention in hospitals—the benefits accrued from such practices are largely personal. He stressed that the detrimental impact of corruption primarily affects the larger societal framework, which he referred to as the corporate entity of Nigeria.
He advocated for a more comprehensive approach to development, emphasizing that it should be a holistic mission embraced by policymakers. He stated that policy initiatives should focus on inclusive growth rather than merely serving individual or self-centered agendas. Resources intended for the nation as a whole should be used wisely and strategically to kickstart long-term projects that have the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for all citizens.
Professor Omobitan suggested that a self-reliant mission ought to become the guiding principle in tackling corruption. He explained that one of the central causes of corruption in Nigeria is a prevalent lack of self-reliance, leading to an over-dependence on external factors. He argued that it is more beneficial to achieve modest success through self-reliance than to seek larger gains through over-dependence, as the former ensures long-term sustainability while the latter can be disrupted by temporary shocks.
Furthermore, he proposed that decentralization should be given more attention, where local, state, and national levels of governance operate independently. The local governments, being closer to the everyday lives of the masses, should have direct access to resources, which would help in addressing the needs of the communities more effectively.
In conclusion, the professor called for the establishment of efficient monitoring systems for the management of resources held by public officials. He firmly believed that such measures would ultimately facilitate a more equitable distribution of resources and significantly enhance infrastructural development across the nation.
