EVALUATION OF THE WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA

(A Study of Ministry of Finance & Economic and Financial Crimes Commission)

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

The evolution of the whistle blowing policy of the federal government of Nigeria came as a result of the deepening financial crises confronting the nation which is the effect of the high level of corruption reflected in the theft and diversion of public funds for personal enrichment at the detriment of the poor, the vulnerable, and the economic state of the nation (Iroanusi,2016). A definition offered by the World Bank views corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain (Agbu,2014). The consequences of corruption exert a lot of negative impact on every aspect of the nation’s development: social, economic and political (Aluko, 2013). The effect of corruption has raised a global concern because of its effect on individuals, institutions, and nations (Igbuzor,2015).

The whistle blowing policy was instituted by the federal ministry of finance in December, 2016 and was approved by the federal government to facilitate the divulsion of information regarding the violation of financial regulations, misappropriation of public funds and assets , the ft of public funds, financial malpractice, and fraud (Agba, 2016).

Consequently, an online portal was created to enhance the disclosure of information regarding the mismanagement of public funds and assets, financial malpractice, theft, fraud , violation of financial regulations, in the best interest of the public. According to Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Nigerian Federal minister of finance, the basic objective of the policy is to facilitate the fight for the eradication of financial crimes and corruption, through the exposure of such financial crimes and the proviso of rewards to whistle blowers.

Consequently, the policy offers protection to whistle blowers which covers them from harassment or intimidation by their employers or bosses. The benefit of the policy is believed to increase transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and the recovery of looted public funds for the deployment of infrastructural development (Niyi,2016). This will enhance a corruption-free  society and the attraction of foreign investors. Therefore, this research study seeks to proffer an assessment of the Whistle Blowing Policy of the federal government of Nigeria.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Nigerians has long being confronted with the issue of corruption which has eluded the nation of great resources that would have been used for developing infrastructure and the improvement of the living standard of the people. A definition offered by the World Bank views corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain. While Agbu (2003) describe it as the theft of state Asset or Diversion of State resources for private use. Aluko  proffered   nine forms of corruption  which include Fraud , Embezzlement , Favoritism  ,Nepotism,   Political corruption (grand) , Bureaucratic corruption (petty) , Electoral corruption , Bribery , (Aluko, 2009). The devasting effect of this menace has deepened the Nigerian economy into a state of financial crises. Consequently as a measure to recover looted funds and illicit gotten wealth from government officials, the Nigerian federal government enacted the whistle blowing policy. According to Mrs. Kemi Adeosun the Nigerian federal minister of finance, the basic objective of the policy is to facilitate the fight for the eradication of financial crimes and corruption, through the exposure of such financial crimes and the provision of rewards to whistle-blowers. Consequently the policy offers protection to whistle-blowers which covers them from harassment or intimidation by their employers or bosses. The benefit of the policy is believed will increase transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and the recovery of looted public fund for the deployment of infrastructural development. Which will enhance a corruption-free society and the attraction of   foreign investors? Therefore the problem confronting the research is to appraise the Assessment of the Whistle Blower policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria: Issues, solutions and Benefits

1.3       Aim and Objectives of the Study

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the whistle blowing policy of the federal government of Nigeria. The specific objectives are:-

1. To examine what whistle blowing is all about and its significance to the nation’s economy.
2. To ascertain the extent to which whistle blowing policy has reduced  corruption level in Nigeria.

• To identify the challenges facing the whistle blowing policy in Nigeria.

1. To assess the relationship between whistle blowing policy and the anti-corruption crusade of the federal government.

1.4       Research Questions

In order to be able to analyze and critically evaluate the issue in question, the following questions were raised –

1. What is the significance of the whistle blowing policy to the nation’s economy?
2. How has the whistle blowing policy reduced the level of corruption in Nigeria?
3. What are the challenges facing the whistle blowing policy in Nigeria?
4. What is the relationship between whistle blowing policy and the anti-corruption crusade of the federal government?

1.5       Research Hypotheses

On the basis of the above conceptual framework, the following hypotheses were raised:-

Hypothesis One

Ho:      The whistle blowing policy is not significant to the nation’s economy.

H1:      The whistle blowing policy is significant to the nation’s economy.

Hypothesis Two

Ho:      The whistle blowing policy has not reduced the level of corruption in Nigeria.

H1:      The whistle blowing policy has reduced the level of corruption in Nigeria.

Hypothesis Three

Ho:      There is no significant relationship between whistle blowing policy and the anti-corruption crusade of the federal government.

H1:      There is a significant relationship between whistle blowing policy and the anti-corruption crusade of the federal government.

1.6       Significance of the Study

In the light of the current level of corruption in Nigeria, there is a strong need to revamp and strengthen every component of the anti-corruption agencies. Against this background, this research work will be beneficial to the Federal Ministry of Finance as well as the Federal government of Nigeria, as it would form a veritable road map for them to advance other viable strategies to ensuring that the policy yields more productive results, based on the findings and recommendations of this work. It will also be of great interest to students, especially the students of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University of Lagos, who may be obliged by academic demands to research on a similar topic. This research work will also be beneficial to other research fellows as it would provide them with valid facilities to enrich their research findings.

1.7       Scope/Limitation of the Study

This research work will be limited to the evaluation of the whistle blowing policy of the Federal government of Nigeria. It will focus on the best possible ways of effecting efficient and effective implementation of the policy, so as to yield real positive and practical results by holistically tackling the challenges facing the implementation of the policy. In the course of the study, several constraints were met. Data collection was constrained by finance and time considering the coverage area.

We also encountered difficult respondents in the process of administering the questionnaires. However, all these challenges would not affect the results of this study, as we tried as much as we could to handle the constraints.

1.8       Operational Definition of Terms

Accountability: This is the act of giving detailed, honest and transparent account of stewardship by a public office holder.

Transparency: This is the conduct of public business in such away and manner that reflects honesty, probity and openness.

Tier: This is the split of a federal structure with assumes some autonomous identity.

Corruption: This is the abuse of public office for private gains. It is the theft or the diversion of state resources grants. These are the additional funds which is given to any their of government the assist and encourage them in their developmental efforts.

Development: This is the qualitative and self-improvement of man that applies to whole societies and people. It is the removal of obstacles to the progressive or qualitative transformation of man.

Whistle Blower: This is a person who offers information about a possible misconduct of misappropriation of public funds, theft of state assets or diversion of state resources for private aggrandizement in the best interest of the public.

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