Influence of Corrupt Practices on Students’ Moral and Spiritual Development in Taraba State Institutions of Higher Learning

Objective: This research examined how corrupt practices impact the moral and spiritual development of students in higher institutions of learning in Taraba State, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive survey design was employed for the study. It was guided by three objectives, three research questions, and one hypothesis. The target population comprised 17,000 students, from which a sample of 200 students was randomly selected. Data were gathered using a questionnaire titled “Corrupt Practices, Student’s Moral and Spiritual Development Questionnaire (CPSMDQ),” which had a reliability coefficient of 0.69 as determined by the Cronbach alpha method. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while the hypothesis was tested using the Chi-square statistic at a 0.05 level of significance.Results: The results indicated the presence of various corrupt practices among staff and students, including examination malpractice and sexual harassment. Furthermore, it was discovered that corruption significantly affects students’ moral and spiritual growth, leading to the loss of traditional values, reduced appreciation for hard work and creativity, and a rise in prostitution and sexual exploitation.Conclusion: The study concluded that corruption substantially influences the moral and spiritual wellbeing of students. It recommended, among other measures, that tertiary institutions should empower SERVICOM and anti-corruption units to investigate and take action against individuals involved in corrupt activities.