Vol. 2 No. 12 (2023)
Articles

AN ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE CAUSES OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF TERTIARY SCHOOLS IN KOGI WEST.

OMOLEGBE Tinuola Leah
Department of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Preliminary Studies, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja Nigeria.
BAMIKE Taiwo
Department of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Preliminary Studies, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja Nigeria.

Published 2023-12-20

Keywords

  • Corruption,
  • perception,
  • value education,
  • reorientation,
  • tertiary education

How to Cite

OMOLEGBE Tinuola Leah, & BAMIKE Taiwo. (2023). AN ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE CAUSES OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF TERTIARY SCHOOLS IN KOGI WEST. Scholarly Journal of Management Sciences Research, 2(12), 18-30. https://www.openjournals.ijaar.org/index.php/sjmsr/article/view/344

How to Cite

OMOLEGBE Tinuola Leah, & BAMIKE Taiwo. (2023). AN ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE CAUSES OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF TERTIARY SCHOOLS IN KOGI WEST. Scholarly Journal of Management Sciences Research, 2(12), 18-30. https://www.openjournals.ijaar.org/index.php/sjmsr/article/view/344

Abstract

Organizations of all sizes, public or private are vulnerable to corruption; the scope varies depending on governance structures, tolerance to corrupt practices, and strength of anti-corruption instruments. In view of the existence of lots of vices such as corruption, cultism, etc. that bedevil the nation, this study investigated the perception of students on the causes of corruption. The Students Perception of Corruption Questionnaire (SPCQ) was administered on 450 students of tertiary institutions in Kogi West, Nigeria. The data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation rank and t-test for independent samples. The result of the analysis showed that all the items were perceived as causes of corruption however, compulsion for shortcut to affluence, glorification and approbation of ill-gotten wealth, display of wealth by public officers, lukewarm attitude of law enforcement officials, and greed/inability to resist temptation were the first five perceived causes of corruption. Many, 80 (16.0%) defined corruption as dishonest or immoral practices in cash or kind; behaving contrary to rules, ethics or the law, 27 (29.0%). 70 (14%) defined corruption as abuse of public office for private gains, 57 (11.4%) see corruption as behaviour contrary to rules, ethics or the law, 48 (9.6%) saw corruption as a way of life. About 45 (9%) see it as an act of evil or wrong perpetrated for money-making purpose, 19 (20.4 %). Many, 48 (9.6%) suggested constituting anti-corruption bodies and organizing regular seminar as a way to combat corruption, 31.2% disciplinary measures, or dismissal for those caught, 25.8% suggested honesty, and upholding professional ethics. There were no significant differences in perception on the basis of gender. The findings of the study suggest need for value, attitude, moral and emotional reorientation of the individual and invariably the society through education.

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