Nigeria has become for long a reference point for corruption, and lately insecurity. The mindless looting of public funds, that is emblematic of governance in Nigeria, has proceeded apace with equally mindless destruction of lives and property, with palpable fear, and disenchantment pervading the land. The increasing sectarian strife has turned parts of the country into killing fields, with obvious threats on democratic consolidation and national stability. The festering sores of corruption and insecurity are inexorably related to the warped values. The paper contends that the nation is still mired in deep crisis of governance owing to misdiagnosis of the problem which renders nugatory the efforts of state agencies to checkmate the menace. The chronic nature of corruption and insecurity has been fuelled and sustained by perverted societal values. Nigeria faces an existential crisis and requires a reorientation of values and complete paradigm shift to be able to come out of the woods.

Nigeria has become for long a reference point for corruption, and lately insecurity. The mindless looting of public funds, that is emblematic of governance in Nigeria, has proceeded apace with equally mindless destruction of lives and property, with palpable fear, and disenchantment pervading the...