A man can be born again; the springs of life can be cleansed instantly…if this is true of one, it can be true of any number. Thus, a nation can be born in a day if the ideals of the people can be changed [William Jennings Bryan]. Nigeria is one of the Countries in Africa that loses billions of dollars yearly because of corruption. She was ranked the second most corrupt country in the world in 2004 [Olu-Olu, 2008]. In 2005 and 2008, Nigeria was ranked 13th and 17th respectively out of 146 countries by Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index [TICPI]. Although the 2007 ranking placed Nigeria as the 32nd most corrupt country out of 147 countries by TICPI, corruption still remains a serious problem in Nigeria [Shehu, 2006]. Corruption is a “multifaceted phenomenon with multiple causes and effects” [Andvig and fjeldstad, 2001: 1]. It is a trinity of illegal money, commercial and criminal activities [Baker, 2005; Guanardi, 2008]. According to section 8(1) of the Anti-Corruption Law of Nigeria (2004), it entails the act of asking for, receiving or obtaining any property or benefit of any kind for oneself or for any other person. It involves the abuse of public office for self-aggrandizement or private benefits [World Bank, 1997].

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Title Page---------------------------------------------------------------i
Approval Page--------------------------------------------------------ii
Dedication-------------------------------------------------------------iii
Acknowledgement--------------------------------------------------iv-vii
 Abstract----------------------------------------------------------------viii

CHAPTER ONE
Background of the study
Statement of the problem
Objectivity of the study
Significance of the study
Literature review,
Theoretical frame work
Hypotheses,
Methods of data collection and analysis,
 Scope and limitation of the study
Definition of terms.

CHAPTER TWO: The historical development of corruption in Nigeria.
2.1 Corruption under colonial rule
2.2. Corruption under the Military Rule.
2.3. Corruption Under the Civilian Rule

CHAPTER THREE: External link to corruption in Nigeria.
3.1. Subversive role of friendly European Countries.
 3.2. Reckless lending and Conditions of Foreign Aid
3.3. The Role of Foreign Companies and Non Governmental Organizations (INGOs)

 CHAPTER FOUR: The strategies for cubing corruption and under-development.
 4.1 The policy of indigenization and nationalization
4.2 Establishment of Anticorruption Agencies
 4.3. Policy of Deregulation

CHAPTER FIVE: Summary,
 Conclusion,
Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion,
5.3 Recommendation
Bibliography