The Role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Anti-Corruption and the Manifest Challenges in their Operations

Abstract

This paper discussed the role of NGOs in combating corruption and highlighted the challenges faced by these NGOs in this efforts. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) serve as critical watchdogs in Nigeria's fight against corruption, complementing institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). The problem addressed in this paper is that despite operating under key legal frameworks such as the Freedom of Information Act 2011, EFCC Act 2004, and Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, NGOs like BudgIT, CLEEN Foundation, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), and Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) encounter severe challenges in the struggle against the scourge of corruption. Adopting the doctrinal method, which relies on both primary and secondary sources, the paper evaluated NGOs' roles in advancing anti-corruption efforts aligned with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) pillars: prevention, criminalization, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance as well as Nigeria's 1999 Constitution and Sustainable Development Goal 16. The paper found that amid governmental shortcomings and barriers, NGOs provide indispensable contributions by driving key anti-corruption activities such as public awareness 
advocacy, budget monitoring, investigative support, transparency promotion, agency partnerships, and institutional accountability. It concluded that strengthening NGOs is essential for transparency, justice, and development in Nigeria, recommending sustainable funding mechanisms, legal safeguards for independence and whistleblowers, capacity-building programs, and multi stakeholder networks to overcome hurdles and amplify their watchdog role.