The Shadow State: Public Sector Corruption in Nigeria, Causes, Consequences and Reforms

The Shadow State – Public Sector Corruption in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences, and Reforms is a timely and penetrating examination of one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, corruption within the public sector. With clarity and analytical depth, this book explores the historical roots, diverse forms and far-reaching impacts of corruption on governance, public trust and national development.

Spanning topics from petty bribery to grand embezzlement, from electoral fraud to bureaucratic malpractice, the author offers a comprehensive classification of corruption and its enablers, drawing connections between political, institutional and societal actors. With a rich blend of theoretical insight and real-life case studies, this work uncovers the systemic issues that have made corruption so deeply entrenched in Nigeria’s public institutions.

Beyond diagnosis, the book delivers thoughtful reform strategies, ranging from legal and institutional frameworks to international best practices that can guide the way towards a more transparent, accountable and efficient public sector. It engages major legal instruments such as the EFCC Act, ICPC Act, and the United Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), while also reflecting on regional and global trends in anti-corruption efforts.

Clear, structured and accessible, this book is an essential resource for scholars, legal practitioners, policy analysts, civil society actors and anyone committed to the fight against corruption in Nigeria and across the developing world.