Corruption and Administration of Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria

Abstract

Corruption in this paper refers to absurd or deviant disposition of people in institutions of higher learning which
violates the ethical standards. The prevalence of corruption in tertiary institutions is viewed to negate the core values of
education at this level. Major themes discussed included definition of corruption, corruption in Nigerian society and
higher learning institutions, highlighting the various aspects and shapes of corruption in Nigerian higher institutions.
Dimensions of corruption identified included students, lecturers, non-academic staff and administrators. The shapes of
corruption among students included bribing of lecturers for unmerited grades, cultism, examination malpractice,
attacks on lecturers for stopping students from indulging in examination malpractice, fiscal extortion from innocent
students by fellow students who form themselves into “lecturers’ boys”. Forms of corruption among lecturers included
demanding huge amount of money, sex from female students for high grade, etc. Among non-teaching staff, the shades
of corruption included monetary extortion from students before they see their results, demanding of money from
unsuspecting parents in the guise that they are lecturers with a promise to secure admission for their children/wards,
they also act as agents for lecturers, receiving money from students for higher grades after examination. At the
administrator's level, shades of corruption included misappropriation and misapplication of fund meant for capital
projects, offer of admission to undeserving students for a fee while deserving candidates are by-passed, amongst others.
Impact of corruption on higher education administration was discussed and means that can be adopted or adapted to
curb the menace were suggested.