Today, in the majority of the world’s cities, whenever business is discussed, the conversation tends to circle around access to capital, exchange rates, government policies and tax rates, or even the rising costs as well as the ease of doing business. While these are pressing realities that require attention, we often ignore a more subtle but equally powerful driver of productivity and competitiveness: ethics in the workplace. As the popular African proverb purports, “the house that is disunited cannot stand.”This also applies to corporate organisations, as, without fairness, trust and integrity, a company cannot thrive, no matter its size or market share.
Across Africa, from Lagos to Johannesburg, young professionals are no longer satisfied with monthly income alone. They are asking deeper questions: Does my company value me? Are my ideas respected, or does nepotism hold sway? Is there fairness in promotion? When employers fail to provide convincing answers to these questions, employees quietly disengage, leave for competitors, or, more dangerously, vent their frustrations on social media, which can be damning, as reputational damage in the 21st-century digital world is rather difficult to manage or control. Hence, the reality is clear: ethical workplaces are not “soft” or optional; they are central to productivity, brand trust, and long-term growth. Gallup’s 2020 research report highlights this: it divulges that employees who feel respected and valued are more engaged, more innovative, and less likely to leave their organisations.
In Nigeria, where replacing skilled staff can be expensive and time-consuming, ignoring workplace ethics can be a costly gamble. Some Nigerian corporates, for instance, have built reputations not just on financial performance but also on transparent systems that inspire loyalty from staff and customers alike. Nestle and Stanbic IBTC have repeatedly been recognised for strong corporate governance, and this is reflected in their customer base and investor confidence. Contrast this with organisations where opaque practices and toxic work cultures dominate; we see high staff turnover, poor customer service, and declining profits. The Yoruba proverb rings true here: “Iwa l’ewa”, i.e., character is beauty. A business may boast with skyscrapers and flashy adverts, but without an ethical ambience, the cracks soon start to show. The wider implications are profound. When employees thrive in ethical workplaces, the impact goes beyond office walls. Workers carry their sense of dignity and fulfilment home, thereby improving family life and contributing more positively to their communities. On the flip side, toxic workplaces breed stress, resentment, and disillusionment. It is no coincidence that many Nigerian professionals struggle with burnout, anxiety, or quiet quitting, which are issues linked directly to workplaces where employees feel exploited rather than valued. This makes workplace ethics a national development concern, not merely a corporate matter.
Debates on Nigeria’s productivity often focus on infrastructure and policy, but the deeper challenge lies in unethical workplace cultures. Disengaged employees give the barest minimum, arriving late, leaving early and undertaking the barest minimum tasks. These challenges collectively drain productivity in ways no government intervention can fix. As the Igbo proverb teaches, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Hence, carrying all members along helps the organisation to thrive.
Without fairness, trust, and shared values, organisations cannot thrive. The solution begins with ethical leadership at the top. Leaders must model integrity, ensure transparency in pay and promotion, and eliminate nepotism and favouritism, which remain cancers in many African workplaces. Safe channels for staff to raise concerns without fear of retaliation are essential, alongside a culture where respect is extended to all employees, regardless of rank. Ethics should be seen not as a cost but as an investment, because motivated staff fuel innovation, improve service and strengthen brand reputation. In today’s competitive African market, ethics is a decisive edge.
As such, we should recognise that the Nigerian market is at a turning point. Our workforce is young, dynamic and eager to contribute. However, their energy will only translate into productivity if employers build environments where fairness, dignity, and trust are non-negotiable. If we truly want to build globally competitive companies, we must take workplace ethics as seriously as we take balance sheets. After all, as our elders remind us, “the rat that eats the neighbour’s yam will also eat its owner’s.” Unethical practices may bring short-term gain, but they eventually consume the business itself. The future belongs to organisations that understand this truth. Thriving workplaces do more than boost profits; they change lives, strengthen communities, and build the kind of society we all want to live in. In the end, the most profitable decision any Nigerian business can make today is also the most ethical one.
Chinedu Okoro is the Centre Manager of the Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics (CKCRLE), Lagos Business School. Contact: ckcrle@lbs.edu.ng
Emmanuel Orakwe is a doctoral student in development studies and a research assistant at the Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics (CKCRLE), Lagos Business School.
