The present report summarizes the key findings of a survey carried out in 2007 by the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS) in partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and with the support of the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

 

The survey covered a total of more than 2,200 businesses across all Nigerian States and sectors of the economy. It aimed to gather the perceptions and experiences of businesses with regard to corruption and crime, as well as their opions concerning the efforts of the Nigerian Government to prevent and fight these phenomena.

 

It finds that 71 per cent of the over 2,200 businesses questioned said corruption was a major obstacle to their operations, second only to crime and political instability. Not surprisingly, the police and customs, as well as utility companies such as the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were rated as the country’s most corrupt institutions. Surprisingly, the nation’s courts were rated as one of the least.

 

Not many of the businesses turned to the justice system to resolve their disputes - only 20 per cent - but of those who did, 84 per cent were satisfied with their experience. The businesses were split, however, over their access to information within the legal system. Thirty-eight per cent felt they were adequately informed, while 27 per cent said they were not.

 

It should be noted that most businesses did not use the legal system at all. Five per cent said their avoidance was deliberate, as the courts were just too lengthy and expensive.