The Role Of Libraries In The Fight Against Corruption

Corruption is simply a misuse of entrusted authority for personal benefit of self, family, friends and those who by rules do not deserve or qualify to get the benefit of that authority. The phenomenon which has been described as a universal one, presents itself in different forms like embezzlement, bribery, nepotism in public sector recruitment, promotion and access to public service, cronyism, vote-buying, political patronage, and judicial corruption. The effects of this phenomenon on the society are so monumental that a common platformmust be found to wage war against it, if our country’s plan for economic growth and development must be realized. This paper therefore examines the role libraries as information centres could play in the fight against corruption in Nigeria with the aim of stamping out the ‘disease’ from the society.