UNDERLYING FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PERSISTENCE OF CORRUPTION IN KATSINA STATE,

Abstract

_{Corruption remains a major impediment to development in Nigeria, yet there is limited empirical understanding of the factors that sustain it at the subnational level. This study examined the underlying drivers of corruption in Katsina State, guided by neopatrimonial theory. A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was adopted. Using a multi-stage sampling procedure, 385 structured questionnaires were administered to public sector workers across three local government areas, and 19 in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, composite indices derived from mean aggregation of Likert-scale items, and correlation, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Institutional factors emerged as the strongest drivers (Mean = 4.18), with political interference and weak accountability specifically aligning with the neopatrimonial proposition that formal bureaucratic structures are subverted by informal patronage networks. Economic vulnerability (Mean = 3.68) was also significant, while sociocultural factors had only a moderate influence (Mean = 2.52). A strong positive correlation was found between corruption and institutional drivers (r = 0.920, p < 0.01). The study concludes that corruption in Katsina is sustained predominantly by governance failures, not cultural predispositions. Recommendations include insulating public institutions from political interference, strengthening the operational independence of anti-corruption agencies, and implementing socio-economic policies to address financial pressures that create vulnerability to graft.}