Chopping

Nigeria is one of the most corrupt nations in the world, a well-known fact. Recently it climbed significantly in the ranks of Transparency International, but this was measured just before one of the more promising anti-corruption fighters was demoted to some police job. Guess Nigeria has dropped in the ranks again since. The newspapers are very open about the corruption, but it only attracts comment when you either take too much money, or when you are a political/personal enemy of the ones who fight corruption.

“Chopping” is the local word for corruption. It’s broken English for “eating”, which is quite a good term as everyone wants a piece of the cake. Chopping is very often indulged, as long as it’s reasonable. Sometimes I would be told “it’s good that they removed this or that governor, because he was chopping too much” but when I reply that all politicians chop, people will reply “yes, well, of course, but not THAT much”. It seems an accepted practice. And not just for politicians: most people will try and take a bit of the cake, or will indirectly get a bit and will therefore be contented with the status quo. Everybody SAYS corruption is evil and wrecking the country, but there is simply no incentive to be the first one to stop. Someone else will take the money you didn’t take, and it’s difficult enough to get money if you’re not one of the happy few in government or employed in a reasonable business. And hey, as I read in a newspaper not too long ago: “it’s not HOW you make your money, as long as you make money –and as long as you are not openly bragging about your misdeeds”.

Sometimes I try to understand corruption. It must be human nature as it’s everywhere in the world, including Europe. In Nigeria it has mushroomed though –because of all the oil money? And yes, there’s the culture of giving people presents to make allies, but it has all gone berserk and by now people seem to think it’s their RIGHT to take money as the government isn’t giving it to them. Hm. But hey, if my standards have shifted since I came here (more focussed how and how much is taken, rather than on the practice itself), then how will it be for someone who grows up in a corrupt nation where you see that corruption is rewarded and honesty mostly leads to poverty?

In the pre-Christmas days, life is more expensive. And going home doesn’t only cost you the money for transport: your (extended) family demands gifts and money. Someone in my compound hasn’t been home for 2 years as he cannot come with a gift substantial enough to please his mother. And this is just one little story.

I think I’d take every opportunity to get a little money to make my family happy, to feed my malnourished children, to pay for transport to look for a job. I greatly admire the majority of the people here who may not stand up to their leaders, but who show that integrity can also be synonymous with Nigerians. It’s because of these people that I continue to have hope.

Would YOU have the strength not to be corrupt?