AN INTEGRATED THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE OF CORRUPTION AMIDST COVID19 OUTBREAK IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Lack of access to quality healthcare coupled with the prevalence of quack hospitals and doctors, fake drugs andsubstandard products, lack of state-of-the art medical equipment, embezzlement, shortage of drug, and meager annualbudget are likely basic indicators that underscore corruption being inflated out of proportional concern in Nigeriahealth sector. This paper studies how corruption has caused Nigeria to face a formidable foe in their fight against therecent coronavirus outbreak which is fuelled by a deep distrust of government. The paper recommends the need forNigerian people to stop being relatively aloof when it comes to the engagement of public office holders. A people that donot engage their leadership would not receive the best of leadership, constantly engaging public office holders andconstructively questioning policies and actions would improve the nation. Budget expenditures must be scrutinized bythe people to ascertain the progress and sincerity of the administration in power, this would help the citizens make theirdecisions at the polls and ultimately lead to the ascension of credible leaders with concrete plans on how to solve theproblems of the country. The paper also calls for introduction of anti-corruption laws backed up by legislation foradequate monitoring of fund voted to healthcare system (also from donor agencies) as necessary to avert embezzlementin the health sector.