Pre-Independence and the First Republic (Pre- 1966)
Corruption, though prevalent, was kept at manageable levels during the First Republic. However, the cases of corruption during the period were sometimes clouded by political infighting.

Azikiwe was the first major political figure investigated for questionable practices. In 1944, a firm belonging to Azikiwe and family bought a Bank in Lagos. The bank was procured to strengthen local control of the financial industry. Albeit, a report about transactions carried out by the bank showed though Azikiwe had resigned as chairman of the bank, the current chairman was an agent of his. The report wrote that most of the paid-up capital of the African Continental Bank were from the Eastern Regional Financial Corporation.

In western Nigeria, politician Adegoke Adelabu was investigated following charges of political corruption leveled against him by the opposition. The report led to demand for his resignation as district council head.

In the Northern region, against the backdrop of corruption allegations leveled against some native authority officials in Bornu. The Northern Government enacted the Customary Presents order to forestall any further breach of regulations. Later on, it was the British administration that was accused of corrupt practices in the results of elections which enthroned a Fulani political leadership in Kano, reports later linking the British authorities to electoral irregularities were discovered.

Murtala administration (1975 – February 1976)
In 1975, the administration of Murtala Mohammed made reformist changes. After a military coup brought him to power, the new government sacked a large number of prior government officials and civil servants, many of whom had been criticized for the misuse of power they wielded under the largely uneducated military of Gowon.

Shagari Administration (October 1979 – December 1983)
Corruption was deemed pervasive during the administration of Shehu Shagari. A few federal buildings mysteriously went on fire after investigators started probe on the finances of the officials working in the buildings. In late 1985, investigations into the collapse of the defunct Johnson Mathey Bank of London shed light on some of the abuses carried on during the second republic. The bank acted as a conduit to transfer hard currency for some party members in Nigeria. A few leading officials and politicians had amassed large amounts of money. They sought to transfer the money out of the country with the help of Asian importers by issuing import licenses.

In 1981, a rice shortage led to accusations of corruption against the NPN government. Shortages and subsequent allegations were precipitated by protectionism. After its election the Nigerian government decided to protect the local rice farmer from imported commodities. A licensing system was created to limit the amount of rice import. However, accusations of favoritism and government supported speculation was leveled against many officials.

Babangida Administration (August 1985 – August 1993)
The regime of general Ibrahim Babangida or IBB, has been seen as the body that legalized corruption. His administration refused to give account of the Gulf War windfall, which has been estimated to be $12.4 billion. He rigged the only successful election in the history of Nigeria in June 12, 1993. He lives in a very exquisite mansion in his home state(Niger-state) in the Northern part of the country.

During IBB's tenure, corruption was elevated to the policy of state. Vehicles and cash gifts were routinely disbursed by the Presidents irregularly to the rank and file to earn loyalty, and the discipline of the military force eroded. The term "IBB Boys" emerged, and was synonymous to fronts for the head of state in business realm to transact dirty deals from drug dealing to money laundering.

The President was reportedly deeply involved in drug dealing through the first lady, Maryam Babangida and Gloria Okon (his girlfriend) and the near revelation by Dele Giwa triggered the assassination of the journalist by the Presidential death squad using letter bomb.

IBB used the various push by his government for liberalization of the economy through privatization to reward friends and cronies, which eventually gave rise to the current class of new-rich in Nigeria. From banking to oil and import licenses, IBB used these favors to raise cash for himself and his family, and is regarded as one of the richest ex-rulers of Nigeria supposedly with significant investment in Globacom- one of the largest telecom operators in Nigeria, regarded as a front for his empire.

Abdusalami Administration (June 1998 – May 1999)
The government of Gen. Abdusalami was short and focused on transiting the country quickly to democracy. Albeit, suspicion remains that quite a huge of wealth was acquired by him and his inner circle in such short period, as he lives in quite exquisite mansion of his own adjacent IBB's that exceeds whatever he might have earned in legitimate income. Indeed, the major Halliburton scandal implicated his administration, and this might have financed his opulence.

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua administration (May 2007 –May 2010)
Yaradua ascent and stay in power was short, albeit with a fair share of corruption scandals from previous administration coming to light under his tenure and going without investigation due to lack of political will and poor health. Yaradua various acts of political corruption included the use of his Attorney General to frustrate ongoing local and international investigations of his powerful friends like Governor Ibori, Igbinnedion and Odili which led to massive losses to their states. Indeed, AG Aondakaa was legendary in his inability to obtain conviction in Nigeria even as UK and foreign courts successfully tried Nigeria's deeply corrupt governors from the Obasanjo era that helped Yaradua emerge as president.

In addition to these, WIkileaks revealed that the Supreme Court Justices were bribed to legitimize the corrupt elections that saw to his emergence as president through massive rigging.
WIKILEAKS documents also revealed the staying power of corruption under Yaradua that saw illegal payments from NNPC to Presidents continue unabated.

1. $2.2 billion illegally withdrawn from Excess Crude Oil Accounts of which $1bn supposedly approved by President Jonathan to fund his reelection campaign without the knowledge of the National Economic Council made up of State Governors and the President & Vice President

2. NEITI discovered $11.6 bn was missing from Nigeria LNG Company Dividend Payments

3. 60 million barrels of oil valued at $13.7bn was stolen under the watch of the national oil giant, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation from 2009 to 2012.

4. NEITI indicates losses due to crude swaps due to subsidy and domestic crude allocation from 2005 to 2012 indicated that $11.63bn had been paid to the NNPC but that “there is no evidence of the money being remitted to the federation account.”

5. Diversion of 60% of $1bn foreign loans obtained from the Chinese by the Ministry of Finance

6. Massive scam in weapons and defense procurements, and misuse of 3 trillion naira defense budget since 2011 under the guise of fighting Boko Haram

7. Diversion of $2.2 million vaccination medicine fund, by Ministry of Health

8. Diversion of Ebola fight fund up to 1.9bn naira

9. NIMASA Fraud under investigation by EFCC, inclusive of accusation of funding PDP and buying a small piece of land for 13 billion naira

10. Ministry of Finance led by Okonjo Iweala hurried payment of $2.2 million to health ministry contractor in disputed invoices

11. NDDC scams and multifarious scams including 2.7 billion naira worth of contracts that does not confirm to Public Procurement Act

12. Police Service Commission Scam investigated by ICPC that revealed misappropriation of over 150 million naira related to election related trainings. ICPC made refund recommendations, but many analyst indicated prosecution was more appropriate.

Firefire:
Corruption don start for Naija no be today.

Firefire:
Corruption don start for Naija no be today.

So it should continue unabated abi?

Thank God someone is doing something about it. We have to leave our old ways behind.
I believe that GEJ will be the last most corrupt government in Nigeria's history after Buhari has cleansed the Land.

LRNZH:


So it should continue unabated abi?

LRNZH:


So it should continue unabated abi?

Thank God someone is doing something about it. We have to leave our old ways behind.
I believe that GEJ will be the last most corrupt government in Nigeria's history after Buhari has cleansed the Land.

Firefire:
The 53 suitcases saga arose in 1984 during the currency change exercise ordered by the Buhari junta when it ordered that every case arriving the country should be inspected irrespective of the status of the person behind such. The 53 suitcases were, however, ferried through the Murtala Muhammed Airport without Customs check by soldiers allegedly at the behest of Major Mustapha Jokolo, the then Aide-de-Camp, ADC, to Gen. Buhari .

LRNZH:


My friend, grow up. So ADC Jokolo is now Buhari. Meanwhile Atiku was the CG of Customs.

I can't believe that even Ebola money was stolen. Chei! That's blood money o....

Firefire:


Jokolo is a man under authority.

chriskosherbal:
Na wa corruption has indeed last long in this country.