Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria Development Finance: Exploring the Relationship with Tax Revenue Leakage

Emmanuel Temitope Adedoyin Ph.D; Peters Ade Sanni

doi:10.56201/jafm.vol.12.no3.2026.pg182.196

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Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria Development Finance: Exploring the Relationship with Tax Revenue Leakage

Emmanuel Temitope Adedoyin Ph.D, Peters Ade Sanni

Abstract

Tax revenue leakage undermines fiscal integrity and constrains development finance in Nigeria. This study examines the relationship between transparency, accountability, and tax revenue leakage, drawing on data from 300 public finance professionals across federal and state institutions. The survey instrument demonstrated high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.809 to 0.878 across constructs. Descriptive analysis revealed moderate levels of transparency and accountability in development finance management. Multiple regression results indicated that higher transparency and stronger accountability mechanisms significantly reduce tax revenue leakage. Thematic analysis further identified critical reforms, including strengthening anti-corruption agencies, enhancing legislative oversight, promoting institutional independence, and deploying technological systems such as real-time monitoring and integrated financial management. These findings underscore that enhancing disclosure practices, reinforcing institutional oversight, and building the capacity of public officials are effective strategies for minimizing revenue leakages. The study offers evidence-based recommendations for policymakers to improve fiscal governance in Nigeria.

Keywords

Tax revenue leakagetransparencyaccountabilityinstitutional reformsNigeriadevelopment finance JEL Classification: H26H83D73O55

References

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Transparency and Accountability in Nigeria Development Finance: Exploring the Relationship with Tax Revenue Leakage

Abstract

Keywords

References

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