HoRs Proposes 7-Year Jail Term Or N5M Fine For Workplace Bribery Offenders

The House of Representatives has introduced a bill aimed at tackling corruption in the workplace by proposing stringent penalties for anyone found guilty of giving, receiving, aiding, or abetting bribes in Nigerian workplaces.

According to the bill, offenders will face a jail term of up to seven years or a fine of ₦5 million—or both—if convicted. The bill also seeks to hold accountable those who facilitate or conceal acts of bribery within both public and private sector organisations.

Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, emphasized the importance of the legislation in curbing widespread unethical practices and restoring integrity to Nigeria’s workforce. “Workplace bribery erodes trust, reduces productivity, and undermines meritocracy. This bill is a step toward institutional accountability and fairness,” he stated during the bill’s presentation.

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The bill also mandates organisations to establish internal compliance mechanisms to prevent bribery, with severe sanctions for corporate entities found guilty of enabling corrupt practices through negligence or willful blindness.

In addition, whistleblowers who report workplace bribery are to be protected under the proposed law, with potential incentives to encourage reporting. This aligns with Nigeria’s broader anti-corruption agenda and international obligations under treaties such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

The bill passed second reading on the floor of the House and has been referred to the relevant committees for further scrutiny and public hearing. If passed into law, it will apply across all levels of employment and will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework against workplace corruption.