International Journal of Law and Legal Studies

ISSN 2736-1608

International Journal of Law and Legal Studies ISSN 2463-5634 Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Elite corruption and the culture of primitive accumulation in 21st century Nigeria

Chris C. Ojukwu1* and J. O. Shopeju2

1Institute of human resources development, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

2Department of communication and general studies, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 October, 2018

Abstract

Nigeria is often perceived as the ‘giant of Africa’ by most Africans, perhaps, because of its remarkable achievements in the continent in the past three decades. Today, the same country is looked upon by the rest of the world as a ‘crippled’ giant, a veritable modern wasteland, a nation where corruption is extolled as a national culture, tradition; as a nation of business scams and fraudulent investment and contractual opportunities. The paper argues that the situation became worse during Olusegun Obasanjo’s eight years administration 1999 to 2007 when his government tactically opened the floodgate of elite corruption and primitive accumulation, which subsequently brought the country to its knees.

Key words: Elite, corruption, primitive accumulation, development, economy.