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ABSTRACT
The study examined the effect of institutional strengthening reforms on corruption reduction in Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the effect of institutional capacity building on corruption reduction in Nigeria, determine the effect of legal and regulatory reforms on corruption reduction in Nigeria, assess the effect of transparency and accountability reforms on corruption reduction in Nigeria, examine the effect of institutional independence and enforcement on corruption reduction in Nigeria. Conceptual review was employed in the study using published journals, and other relevant materials. Based on the conceptual review, the study revealed that institutional strengthening reforms reduces corruption in Nigeria. The study concludes that building stronger institutions through capacity and financial controls reduces corruption in Nigeria. It was recommended that government should provide continuous professional training, adequate funding, modern information technology and sufficient personnel for public institutions and anti-corruption agencies. Capacity-building programmes should focus particularly on forensic investigation, digital auditing, procurement monitoring and financial intelligence. Finally, government should strengthen existing anti-corruption laws and close legal loopholes that permit corrupt practices to go unpunished. Laws relating to asset declaration, whistle-blower protection, public procurement and recovery of illicit assets should be effectively implemented rather than
KEYWORDS: Institutional Strengthening, Reforms, Corruption, Reduction, institutional capacity building, legal and regulatory, transparency and accountability, institutional independence, enforcement
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