Nigeria’s fight against corruption is gaining momentum, with more citizens rejecting corrupt practices and calling for greater accountability, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

During the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day event held in Abuja, UNODC’s Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, mentioned promising trends revealed by a recent national corruption survey.

The survey shows that a remarkable 70% of Nigerians, including many young people, have refused to pay bribes at least once when faced with such demands.

This statistic is a clear indication that a culture of integrity is growing, and citizens are standing their ground against unethical practices.

Toure pointed out that this isn’t just a number—it symbolizes a shift in societal attitudes and a determination to break free from corruption’s grip.

One particularly encouraging finding was the rise in formal action against corrupt public officials.

Between 2019 and 2023, cases where official procedures were initiated against corrupt practices jumped from 16% to 45%.

This surge shows that accountability mechanisms are beginning to take root, and people are more willing to report corruption and demand justice.

Even more heartening is the fact that 42% of respondents chose to refuse bribes simply because it was the morally right thing to do.

According to Toure, this ethical stance provides a strong foundation for building sustained anti-corruption efforts.

He emphasized that while progress is evident, much more remains to be done to ensure transparency and integrity become hallmarks of Nigeria’s public sector.