The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that Nigerians paid over N700 billion (approximately $1.26 billion) in cash bribes to public officials in 2023, accounting for 0.35% of the country’s GDP.
Despite the increase in nominal value, the inflation-adjusted average cash bribe size decreased by 29% compared to 2019, with an average cash bribe of NGN 8,284 (approximately $18).
The report highlights that 70% of Nigerians refused to pay bribes at least once in 2023, with the north-west region having the highest percentage (76%) of individuals who declined to pay bribes.
The NBS also notes a decline in citizens’ confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts, with women being less exposed to bribery than men and men being 1.4 times more likely to pay or be asked to pay a bribe when interacting with public officials.