Public Sector Corruption and Erosion of Citizen Trust in Enugu State Government Institutions

Corruption in public institutions remains one of the most persistent governance challenges confronting Nigerian states, with far-reaching implications for citizen confidence in government. This study investigates the relationship between public sector corruption and the erosion of citizen trust in Enugu State government institutions, with particular attention to the experiences of residents within the Nsukka senatorial zone. The study is grounded in the Social Contract Theory, which holds that the legitimacy of government rests on its ability to fulfil obligations to citizens. A survey research design was employed. The population included adult residents of the Nsukka zone and civil servants in selected ministries, from which 280 respondents were sampled using purposive and systematic random sampling techniques. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics. Findings indicate a strong negative correlation between perceived corruption and citizen trust, with respondents citing procurement fraud, bribery in public hospitals, and extortion by regulatory officers as primary drivers of institutional distrust. The study concludes that sustained exposure to corrupt practices diminishes citizens' willingness to engage with public institutions, thereby weakening social cohesion and governance effectiveness. It is recommended that the Enugu State government strengthen the independence of the State Anti-Corruption Agency, institutionalise whistleblower protection mechanisms, and adopt transparent procurement procedures in all ministries, departments, and agencies.

Keywords: Corruption, Citizen Trust, Public Institutions, Governance, Accountability