According to a National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) report, Nigerian government officials received N721 billion as bribes in 2023.
The report “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends” states that the amount paid in bribes across the country in 2023 amounted to about 0.35% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).
Based on a survey conducted with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the report emphasised that the average cash public officials received in 2023 was N8,284, an increase from N5,754 in 2019.
The report read in part, “According to the 2023 survey, the average cash bribe paid was 8,284 Nigerian Naira.
“While the nominal average cash bribe size increased since 2019 (from NGN 5,754), this does not account for inflation. The inflation-adjusted average cash bribe in 2023 was 29 per cent smaller than in 2019 in terms of what could be bought with the money.
“Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly NGN 721 billion (US$1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023, corresponding to 0.35% of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria.”