Values-Based Leadership and Fight against Corruption in Nigeria between 2015 and 2019: Public Policy Implications to Good Governance

Abstract

It is globally acknowledged that the commitment of any government in fighting corruption is largely contingent on the values of leadership. Values-based leadership plays an important role in ensuring that relevant stakeholders and public institutions work together within the ethical confines of transparency, accountability and integrity in fighting corruption. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to critically interrogate value-based leadership as a concept of governance and the fight against corruption in Nigeria between 2015 and 2019. The study adopted qualitative research technique. Data were collected from primary (in-depth interview of 10 government officials/anti-corruption agencies) and secondary sources such as: extant literature, textbooks, journal articles, internet and newspapers. Content-analysis technique was adopted to elicit concepts. Elicited concepts were edited, pattern-matched, coded or categorized into key themes, namely: values, leadership, corruption, transparency, integrity and governance. Thematic data analysis method was adopted to analyze, interpret and answer research questions. Results showed that despite the intervention of anti-corruption Agencies, such as: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent and Corruption and other Practices Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), corruption remains endemic as well as extremely prevalent in the public service. Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) survey reports between 2016 and 2018, showed that corruption in Nigeria reduced by 1 per cent (28 per cent to 27 per cent). This is still high when compared to Obasanjo’s regime (1999-2011) scorecard of 16 per cent; and Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s regimes’ (2011-2015) scorecard of 25 per cent.. The paper concludes by suggesting that the missing link in the fight against corruption in Nigeria is that the citizens’ participations have not been included in public policy and governance process