The recently released report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) sheds light on the pervasive issue of bribery within Nigeria as of 2023. According to the findings, Nigerian public officials received an estimated ₦721 billion in bribes during the year, amounting to approximately 0.35% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This staggering figure underscores the scale of corruption within the public sector, despite efforts to curb such practices.

The average cash bribe paid in 2023 was ₦8,284, marking an increase from ₦5,754 reported in 2019, although adjusted for inflation, the real purchasing power of these bribes has declined. Despite a decrease in the percentage of Nigerians interacting with public officials (from 63% in 2019 to 56% in 2023), bribery remains widespread, with an average of 5.1 bribes paid per bribe payer. This translates to approximately 87 million bribes nationwide, indicating the persistent challenge of corruption in everyday interactions.

Sectorally, the report highlights that over 95% of bribes were paid in monetary form, either as cash or through money transfers. While public sector bribery rates remain higher than those in the private sector, there has been a notable increase in bribery incidents involving private sector actors, such as doctors in private hospitals, whose involvement rose from 6% in 2019 to 14% in 2023.

Regionally, there are significant variations in bribery refusal rates, with the North-West recording the highest refusal rate at 76%. Nationally, 70% of Nigerians asked to pay a bribe refused at least once in 2023, indicating a growing resistance to corrupt practices. However, rural areas continue to experience higher bribery rates compared to urban areas, with rural residents paying an average of 5.8 bribes versus 4.5 in urban settings.

The report also highlights concerning trends in public sector recruitment, where approximately 60% of successful candidates between 2020 and 2023 secured their positions through nepotism, bribery, or a combination of both. This issue underscores the need for stricter oversight and reforms in the recruitment processes to promote transparency and meritocracy.

Public perception of corruption reflects its deep impact on society, ranking as the fourth most concerning issue in Nigeria after the cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment. There has been a decline in confidence regarding the government's ability to effectively combat corruption, with fewer citizens believing in the efficacy of anti-corruption measures compared to previous years. This highlights the ongoing challenge of restoring public trust and implementing effective anti-corruption strategies to foster sustainable development and governance in Nigeria.