A group under the auspices of the Behaviour Change Cohort of the MacArthur Foundation has stated that eliminating corruption in Nigeria requires the restoration of the nation’s core values and a shift in attitudes.
The Behaviour Change Cohort comprises a coalition of various civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, including Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Step Up Nigeria, and Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, among others, which participated in the MacArthur Foundation’s “On Nigeria 2.0 Project,” set to conclude in 2024.
Dr. Agbaji Orinya, a member of the Cohort and Programme Manager of Palace Priests Assembly, spoke in Abuja during the 2024 Behavioural Change Conference, where he insisted that a behaviour change approach should be adopted to tackle corruption in Nigeria.
He appealed to religious leaders to integrate anti-corruption messages into their sermons to promote attitudinal change among their congregants.
Dr. Orinya noted that the theme of the conference, “The Future of Anti-Corruption Interventions in Nigeria: Scaling Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Solutions,” was timely, as it aims to ensure proactive measures in combating corruption in public spaces.
Expressing concern about the pervasive nature of corruption in nearly every facet of society, Dr. Orinya emphasized that Nigeria must address the leadership issue and set the tone at the top in the fight against corruption.
He called for stricter penalties for those involved in corruption, while noting that capital punishment was not part of the recommendations of the Cohort.
“I don’t think we are reaching the point of capital punishment. The behaviour change approach does not even consider that area. But there should be sanctions. We recommend sanctions for all those involved in corrupt activities.
“But most importantly, we must get the leadership question right and set the tone at the top. Then, it will trickle down to the bottom.
“Also, if you look at the approach within the Behaviour Change Cohort, we have several faith-based organizations carrying out different interventions. One such intervention involves mainstreaming anti-corruption messages into sermons.
“Nigeria is a very religious country. Christians and Muslims attend church or mosque, and during campaigns, you see politicians flocking to religious leaders.
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“We have also discovered that politicians are accountable to these religious leaders. One of our approaches is to build the capacity of these religious leaders to integrate anti-corruption messages into their sermons and tell them the truth when they come to them.
“In this way, we begin to see changes in the behavior of people who are perceived to be corrupt,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Akin Fadeyi Foundation, in a statement on behalf of the Behaviour Change Cohort of the MacArthur Foundation, reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s corruption landscape using behavioral insights and interventions.
The Cohort, an advocacy group, has spent the last six years involved in various anti-corruption campaigns, including educating school children and rural communities about the dangers of corruption.
The statement highlighted future plans while reflecting on the impactful anti-corruption initiatives undertaken by the Cohort over the past six years.
“This event underscored the Cohort’s ongoing commitment to fostering transparency and accountability in Nigeria, even as the MacArthur Foundation concludes the ‘On Nigeria 2.0 Project’ at the end of 2024.
“A significant part of the conference was a panel session moderated by Patience Ismaila Zeera, Project Coordinator at the Akin Fadeyi Foundation.
“This session explored the impactful interventions of the Behaviour Change Cohort and its collaborative efforts with various institutions, showcasing the substantial progress made in Nigeria’s anti-corruption space.
The press briefing focused on the Cohort’s pledge to extend its anti-corruption efforts beyond 2024.
The announcement of a coalition made up of member organizations of the “Behaviour Change Cohort” marked a key strategic step forward, aiming to welcome new members dedicated to driving positive behavioural change.
“The Cohort also celebrated the success of its six-year collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation, expressing gratitude for the partnerships that have fueled their mission of change.
“Highlighting the impact of their initiatives, the Cohort emphasized how their work has reached diverse communities and sectors across Nigeria, benefiting millions through innovative use of media and technology.
“As they look to the future, the Cohort called for continued collaboration with stakeholders to sustain and expand these efforts, emphasizing the importance of a united front against corruption in Nigeria,” the statement added.
