Nigeria Vs Angola: Corruption Comparison

Corruption in Nigeria and Angola is a complex and multifaceted issue, with a variety of factors contributing to its prevalence in both countries. While both nations have experienced significant levels of corruption, the specific manifestations and contexts of corruption differ between the two. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing effective governance interventions and policies to address the issue.

In Nigeria, corruption has been a constant phenomenon, with the country losing an estimated $400 billion to corruption since its independence. The discovery of oil and natural gas has played a significant role in the increase in corrupt practices, as politicians find themselves in positions of power and wealth due to their connections with the state-owned oil and gas industries. The distribution of oil and gas revenues, which account for over 90% of Nigerian export earnings, is often uneven, benefiting certain states disproportionately. This has led to widespread vote rigging and corruption within the government, with business arrangements and family loyalties influencing governmental appointments.

On the other hand, Angola has also struggled with institutional corruption, particularly within its government and public institutions. The aftermath of the country's civil war and the influence of the Soviet command economy have contributed to the centralization of power and the emergence of authoritarian tendencies. This has allowed the president and associates to exert control over the nation's resources, often exploiting the economy for personal gain. Angola's former president, José Eduardo dos Santos, has been accused of creating one of the most corrupt countries in Africa, as the country's wealth was used to benefit himself and his associates while much of the population lived in poverty.

While both countries share similarities in terms of the presence of corruption, the specific manifestations and contexts differ. Nigeria's corruption is characterized by a variety of practices, including contract fraud, bribery, money laundering, and embezzlement. The country's diverse ethnic groups and political landscape contribute to the complex nature of corruption. In contrast, Angola's corruption is heavily influenced by the centralization of power and the lack of democratic practices. The ruling party, MPLA, has a strong influence over various institutions, including the media, which has limited the ability for independent oversight and criticism.

To effectively address corruption in Nigeria and Angola, it is essential to recognize the unique contexts and manifestations in each country. Interventions and policies must consider the historical, cultural, and political factors that contribute to corruption in each nation. By understanding these complexities, policymakers can develop tailored approaches that address the root causes and specific challenges within each country.

Corruption in the Nigerian and Angolan oil industries

Nigeria

Nigeria is perceived as one of the world's most corrupt countries, with significant levels of corruption within its oil sector. Oil exports account for over 90% of all Nigerian export revenues, and the energy sector's wealth is not evenly distributed throughout the country. Corruption runs through every level of the Nigerian government, with politicians, officials, and their associates making up a "ruling elite" that ensures collective wealth through behind-the-scenes agreements and the awarding of profitable contracts.

The Nigerian government has attempted to minimise corruption through the enactment of laws and the enforcement of integrity systems, but with little success.

Angola

Angola is also perceived as one of the most corrupt countries in Africa, with a score of 33 out of 100 on the 2023 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. The country's oil sector has been at the centre of corruption, with the state-owned company Sonangol at the heart of it. Sonangol has been implicated in the embezzlement of billions of dollars, with the company's revenue often disappearing rather than being transferred to the Angolan government.

The Angolan government has also been accused of selling state assets to members of the presidential patronage network for below market value, often funded by loans from the Angolan state or banks. This has resulted in a highly centralised and entrenched patronage system that includes all aspects of governance and the economy.

The role of the Nigerian and Angolan militaries in enabling corruption

The Nigerian Armed Forces (NAF) are the military forces of Nigeria, consisting of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force. The President of Nigeria is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, exercising his constitutional authority through the Ministry of Defence, which is responsible for the management of the military and its personnel. The operational head of the AFN is the Chief of Defence Staff, who is subordinate to the Nigerian Defence Minister.

Nigeria's military has been in decline since the country moved from a military dictatorship to a democracy in 1999. The intervening years have seen the country's armed forces weakened by poor leadership, graft, misdirected staff training, and a succession of civilian governments so worried about another coup that they have starved the armed forces of key resources.

The Nigerian military has been accused of corruption, with reports of ammunition and arms being budgeted and paid for but never reaching the front lines, either because they are diverted to the black market or because the money goes into a procurer's pocket. There have also been reports of soldiers being sent to fight militants with inadequate weapons, having to cover their own medical expenses for wounds received in battle, and the spouses of dead soldiers only being granted a minimal stipend.

The Angolan military, on the other hand, has been implicated in the country's broader struggle with institutional corruption. Angola's former president, José Eduardo dos Santos, has been accused of creating one of the most corrupt countries in Africa, leveraging the country's oil wealth to accumulate a massive fortune for himself and his family while much of the country's people live in poverty.

Angola's military officers have become incredibly wealthy under dos Santos' rule, and the military has been implicated in the systemic corruption that has taken place through various schemes involving companies controlled by the party elite and their patronage networks that operate in all sectors of the economy. Angola's military has also been accused of human rights abuses, with the Attorney General's office indicting the former president's son, Jose Filomeno dos Santos, and Valter Filipe, for their role in an attempt to send $500 million from the National Bank of Angola (BNA) to an account in London. British authorities detected the fraud and froze the funds.

The impact of colonialism on corruption in Nigeria and Angola

Colonialism has had a significant impact on corruption in Nigeria and Angola, with historical policies and practices shaping the political landscape and contributing to the corruption issues seen in both countries today.

In Nigeria, colonial policies played a role in creating divisions among different ethnic groups, with Northerners and Southerners being portrayed as culturally distinct and unequal. This led to a sense of favouritism and inequality, which contributed to the corruption that followed independence. The focus on education in the South during colonialism also created an educated elite in the region, while the North remained culturally isolated and less educated, further exacerbating divisions. As a result, Nigeria experienced a series of coups and a civil war, with the military eventually seizing power. The lack of stable political leadership and strong state structures created an environment where corruption could thrive.

Angola's colonial history also left a legacy of centralised power and weak institutions, making it easier for those in authority to exploit the country's resources for personal gain. The Angolan War of Independence and subsequent civil war disrupted economic development and centralised power in the hands of a small group close to the president. This concentration of power, combined with a lack of transparency and accountability, created an environment conducive to corruption.

In both Nigeria and Angola, colonial policies and practices contributed to the corruption issues seen today. The legacy of colonialism includes divisions among ethnic groups, centralised power structures, and weak institutions that struggle to hold leaders accountable. These factors have created an environment where corruption can take root and persist, often with devastating consequences for the country's development and the well-being of its citizens.

It is important to recognise that while colonialism played a significant role in shaping the political landscape and contributing to corruption, there are also other factors at play, such as individual greed, poverty, and a lack of education, among others. However, addressing the impact of colonialism on corruption is crucial for understanding and tackling the issue effectively in both Nigeria and Angola.

The role of the media in perpetuating corruption in Nigeria and Angola

The media plays a critical role in the fight against corruption in Nigeria and Angola. In Nigeria, the media has been at the forefront of independently sourcing stories about corruption in the government and keeping the public informed about the activities of anti-graft bodies. The media has also been instrumental in exposing the intricate web of corruption in the banking sector, compelling the Central Bank of Nigeria to carry out its own investigation.

However, the media in Nigeria faces several challenges in its fight against corruption. These include poverty, threats to life, undue interference by the government, harassment, injury, and lack of laws to protect journalists. In Angola, the media is also state-controlled and used as a tool for propaganda.

Despite these challenges, the media in both countries has the potential to act as an agent of change for tackling corruption.

The impact of corruption on the development of democratic institutions in Nigeria and Angola

Corruption has had a detrimental impact on the development of democratic institutions in both Nigeria and Angola.

In Nigeria, corruption is pervasive at all levels of government, with politicians leveraging their connections to the oil and gas industries to amass wealth. This has resulted in a lack of accountability, transparency, and predictability in government dealings, hindering the country's democratic progress.

In Angola, on the other hand, has faced challenges in establishing democratic institutions due to a history of authoritarian rule and a concentration of power in the presidency. While the country has implemented anti-corruption measures, critics argue that progress has been slow, and corruption remains a significant challenge, particularly in the oil sector.

Nigeria's democratic efforts have been hindered by a lack of good governance, including weak political parties, a lack of effective citizen participation, a culture of impunity, and political violence. The country's anti-corruption institutions themselves require democratic governance and oversight to be effective.

In Angola, the ruling party, the MPLA, has been accused of rigging elections, and the country's judiciary lacks independence, with all justices of the Constitutional Court appointed by MPLA presidents. While Angola has made advances in freedom of the press, personal integrity, and security, it still falls within the bottom 25% of countries in terms of local democracy, basic welfare, and judicial independence.

In both countries, corruption has eroded trust in government and stunted the development of strong democratic institutions. To foster democratic progress, it is crucial to strengthen anti-corruption measures, improve transparency and accountability, and ensure the independence of democratic institutions.

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