Information Awareness and Accessibility as Tools for Whistle-blowers in the Fight against Corruption among Civil Servants in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Corruption has become an epidemic disease in Nigeria, and the whistle-blowing policy has received attention. However, the high rate of corruption persists. The study investigated information awareness and accessibility as tools for whistle-blowers in the fight against corruption among civil-servants in Kwara State, Nigeria. The population of the study was 6,650 across the 16 ministries. The research was conducted on a sample of 377 civil-servants utilising a questionnaire and adopting a descriptive survey design. The statistical analysis used for the study is frequency count and percentages. Based on the collected data, the respondents have a high level of awareness of the whistle-blowing policy. Also, the study revealed that civil service rules, newspaper reports, family and friends, as well as broadcast media, were sources of information available to them. Respondents indicated that inadequate information accessibility hindered the fight against corruption. However, many respondents revealed that a whistle-blowing policy, if not made a law, may not stand the test of time. Among factors that deter many whistleblowers from revealing corrupt practices are fear of reprisals and lack of continuity in government policy. The study established that whistle-blowing policy would gain impact through effective awareness-raising and adequate access to information by citizens. Therefore, the study recommended that there must be careful structuring and institutionalisation of the whistle blowing policy to develop and enhance the capabilities of civil-servants to ensure effective functioning in the fight against corruption.