Corruption fights back: Localizing transparency and EITI in the Nigerian “penkelemes”

Amanze Ejiogu, Chibuzo Ejiogu, Ambisisi Ambituuni

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)
    74 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    This study explores how the global transparency norm is localized in the Nigerian extractive industry. Transparency is theorized as a process which can be analyzed in terms of rules, interactions, power games, and context. Nigeria is conceptualized as a “penkelemes”—a concept which denotes how traditions, norms, and practices are intertwined with a system of corruption, kinship, and patronage networks. Three main insights emerge. First, the complex motives and ability of local actors to balance demands for transparency from the international community with participation in the corrupt local political system determines which international norms they adopt. Second, the struggle for power over the transparency process determines the local understanding of transparency. Third, the link between transparency and corruption is paradoxical. Corruption conditions the enactment of transparency but even this corrupted transparency is useful in fighting corruption. Thus, transparency becomes part of the problem as well as part of the solution.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)785-802
    Number of pages18
    JournalGovernance
    Volume34
    Issue number3
    Early online date7 Aug 2020
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2021

    Bibliographical note

    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Ejiogu, A, Ejiogu, C & Ambituuni, A 2021, 'Corruption fights back: Localizing transparency and EITI in the Nigerian “penkelemes”', Governance, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 785-802, which has been published in final form at 10.1111/gove.12530. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.

    Keywords

    • EITI
    • Corruption
    • Nigeria
    • Transparency
    • Localization

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Sociology and Political Science
    • Public Administration
    • Marketing

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