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News release

Nigerians say corruption is worsening, and citizens risk retaliation if they speak up, Afrobarometer survey finds

6 May 2025 Nigeria
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News release
Key findings
  • Eight in 10 Nigerians (80%) say the level of corruption in the country increased “somewhat” or “a lot” over the past year, nearly double the proportion who thought corruption increased in 2017 (43%) (Figure 1).
  • Among key public institutions, the police are most widely perceived as corrupt: 70% of respondents say “most” or “all” police officials are involved in corruption. Majorities say the same about Parliament (65%), the Presidency (62%), local government councillors (55%), tax officials (55%), and judges and magistrates (54%) (Figure 2).
  • Among citizens who sought selected public services during the previous year, substantial proportions say they had to pay a bribe to obtain police assistance (67%), to get a government document (56%), to avoid problem with the police (53%), or to receive services at a public medical facility (26%) (Figure 3).
  • Only one in 10 Nigerians (10%) believe that people can report corruption to the authorities without fear of retaliation (Figure 4).
  • An overwhelming majority (90%) of Nigerians say the government is doing “fairly badly” or “very badly” at fighting corruption in government (Figure 5).

A growing majority of Nigerians say corruption worsened over the past year, and only a few  believe that people can report it to the authorities without fear of retaliation,  Afrobarometer’s latest survey reveals. 

Key public institutions are widely seen as corrupt, including the police, the Presidency,  Parliament, tax and local government offices, and judges and magistrates. 

Findings also show that many citizens are forced to pay bribes to access basic public  services. 

Most say the government is performing poorly in its fight against corruption.