CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION                                                                                     

1.1       Background to the Study                                                                                1 

1.2       Statement of the Problem                                                                               3 

1.3       Research Questions                                                                                        5 

1.4       Aim and Objectives of the Study                                                                   5 

1.5       Significances of the study                                                                               5 

1.6       Scope of the study                                                                                          6 

1.7       Methodology                                                                                                  6 

1.8       Synopsis of Study                                                                                           6 

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW                                                            

2.1       Theoretical Framework                                                                                  8 

2.1.1    Political Economy Theory                                                                              8 

2.1.2    Political Elite Theory                                                                                     9 

2.2       Conceptual Review                                                                                         11 

2.2.1    Conceptual Issues                                                                                           11 

2.2.2    Political Corruption                                                                                        16 

2.2.3    Corruption and Nigeria’s Political Objectives                                               25 

CHAPTER THREE: EFFECT OF CORRUPTION ON NIGERIAN STATE 

3.1       Corruption and Criminalization of State                                                        27 

3.2       The Jonathan Administration, Corruption and Governance                           33 

3.3       Buhari Anti-Corruption Policy and Nigerian State                                        36 

CHAPTER FOUR: POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN THE FOURTH REPUBLIC 

4.1       Financial Corruption in the Presidency and Federal Executive Council           44 

4.2       Financial Corruption in the National Assembly                                             45 

4.3       Financial Corruption at the State Level                                                          46 

4.4       Effect of Political Corruption on Development of Nigeria                            47 

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

5.1       Summary                                                                                                         50 

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                      51 

5.3       Recommendations                                                                                          52 

REFERENCES                                                                                                           55 

One of the greatest development challenges facing developing countries in today’s globalized world is the high incidence of political malfeasance and corruption. Nigeria, like most countries in the sub-Saharan African region has been vigorously confronted with the malaise of corruption. Thus the spate of corruption in Nigeria has found expression not only in public offices and institutions but other critical social milieu namely, the family, schools, places of worship, electioneering activities, had had a fair share of corrupt practices bedeviling them. This study therefore discussed political corruption and its effect in the Nigerian government and politics. This study is a theoretical analysis of the concept and context of political corruption in the light of the penultimate role of the political elites who are variously known to be in control of the nation’s common wealth. The study adopts secondary sources of data collection for overall understanding of the subject matter. Literatures were gathered from works of scholars in the area of investigations under review. The study argues that for corruption to be curtailed in Nigeria, the structure of social behavioral control like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFC) should be restructured and depoliticized. The study sums up with conclusions and other vital policy recommendations for effective sustenance and consolidation of democratic objectives in Nigeria in the 21st century and beyond.