The House of Representatives is considering a bill that proposes a seven-year jail term or a N5 million fine for anyone found guilty of giving or receiving bribes in the workplace
Although full details of the proposed legislation have not been officially released, the move is part of a broader legislative effort to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework and enforce ethical standards across both public and private sectors.
The bill, if passed, would criminalize workplace bribery—making it a punishable offense not just in public institutions but also within private organizations.
This proposed measure aligns with recent actions by the House to tackle unethical conduct in various sectors. Notably, lawmakers have approved stiffer penalties for public officials who award contracts without proper authorization and are also pushing a bill to criminalize non-payment of salaries by employers.
In January 2024, Nigeria’s Supreme Court upheld the five-year prison sentence of former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, who was convicted of accepting a $500,000 bribe. The case remains one of the most high-profile bribery convictions in the country.
If the workplace bribery bill is enacted, it could mark a significant step toward reducing corruption in everyday professional settings.
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