The Political Economy of Corruption and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, 2015–2024

Corruption remains a significant barrier to sustainable development in Nigeria. It undermines economic growth, good governance, and social equity. It erodes public trust, deepens inequality, and contributes to persistent challenges such as poverty, infrastructural decay, and environmental degradation, thereby hindering progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study explores the relationship between corruption and sustainable development in Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, focusing on the anti-corruption efforts of the Buhari and Tinubu administrations. Employing a qualitative approach, it assesses the effectiveness of key policies and institutional frameworks such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) in promoting economic stability and social development. Findings indicate that despite these initiatives, corruption remains entrenched due to systemic issues including weak enforcement, political interference, and judicial inefficiencies. The study concludes that achieving sustainable development requires comprehensive institutional reforms, greater transparency, stronger political will, and increased citizen engagement in governance.