Corrupt Practices and Government Delivery of Educational Services in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Saying that corrupt practices are diverse and pervasive in Nigeria is a fact that needs no emphasis. Corruption has proven to be the bane of socio-political cum economic development in Nigeria. Do corrupt practices (embezzlement, misappropriation and favouritism) significantly predict government provision of educational services? To solve this puzzle, the study sought to determine the predictive relationship between the three identified corrupt practices and government delivery of educational services in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study was based on a single null hypothesis. Literatures were sourced from both primary and secondary means, and reviewed and analysed accordingly. A Focused Group Interview (FGI), Corrupt Practices Questionnaires (CPQ) and Government Delivery of Educational Services Questionnaire (GDESQ) were employed to obtain primary data for the study. Data were analysed using Multiple Regression Analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Finding indicated a significant composite relationship between the predictor- variables (embezzlement, misappropriation and favouritism) and the dependent variable. An examination of the individual predictor’s predictive ability or relationship shows that while embezzlement and misappropriation have a significant negative relationship with the dependent variable, favouritism was found to be of no significant influence on the dependent variable. The interviewees were not divergent in their opinion on the impact of misappropriation before embezzlement on the government budgetary allocation for educational service provisions. Accordingly, it was recommended that institutional corruption watch dogs direct their search light to the educational sector, where wanton acts of corruption are perpetrated.