Reps Propose 7-Year Jail Term, ₦5m Fine for Workplace Bribery
The House of Representatives has advanced a new bill proposing strict penalties for workplace bribery, setting a seven-year jail term or a ₦5 million fine—or both—for individuals found guilty of giving, receiving, aiding, or abetting bribes in Nigerian workplaces.
The bill, which recently passed second reading, targets both public and private sector environments and seeks to curb systemic corruption by holding not only direct offenders accountable, but also those who enable or conceal bribery through negligence or complicity.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Oluwole Oke, described the bill as a critical move toward restoring ethical standards in Nigeria’s employment landscape. “Workplace bribery erodes trust, reduces productivity, and undermines meritocracy,” Oke said during the bill’s presentation. “This legislation is aimed at fostering institutional accountability and fairness.”
Under the proposed law, companies will be required to establish robust compliance systems to detect and prevent bribery. Corporate entities that fail to do so may face sanctions if found guilty of enabling corrupt practices.
In a bid to encourage transparency, the bill includes provisions for whistleblower protection and potential incentives for those who report workplace bribery. This aligns with Nigeria’s broader anti-corruption agenda and international commitments, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
The bill has been forwarded to relevant committees for further review and public hearing. If enacted, it will mark a significant step forward in strengthening Nigeria’s legal tools for combating corruption across all levels of employment.
