Endogenous measures for stifling corruption within selected agricultural and food development projects in Benue State, North Central, Nigeria

Despite introducing various agencies and measures for curbing corruption, endogenous measures still enjoy patronage in Nigeria. It is against this backdrop that this study investigated the endogenous measures for stifling corruption within selected agricultural development interventions in Benue state. One out of the three zones in Benue state was randomly selected and a total of 129 respondents from all of the selected projects in all the Local Government Areas of the selected zone were selected. Focus Group Discussions (FGD), In-depth interviews (IDIs) with key players, and structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The dimension of sharp practices in the selected agricultural development projects is more pronounced in the allocation of agricultural supplies to the farmers and less pronounced in bribery, influence peddling, pricing, and duty abandonment. FGD and IDIs with key players revealed that Ekaa or Okpa (oath taking), Aolode (local vigilante), Echi (protective charms), public denouncement, Tying of palm frond leaves, Enumajeje (Mucuna pruriens), Withdrawal of project from the community and Onyonkpo (village cult) were the endogenous measures deployed to stifle corruption in the selected agricultural development projects. These various endogenous measures deployed by some key players of the selected agricultural development projects to curb sharp practices have to a great extent, prevented intended culprits from indulging in deviant behavior for fear of its instant judgment on culprits. Hence, endogenous measures should be encouraged to complement the government's efforts and the crude aspects of the measures conflicting with natural justice should be ejected.