This paper attempted to examine the concept of corruption and sustainable development in Nigeria. It is no longer an assumption that corruption has drastically crept into all spheres of human existence, thus making it obvious that corruption challenges remains a social menance that have proven difficult to be rid off in the society. However, corruption has taken different dimensions and has caused tremendous destruction on socio- economic and political development of both developed and developing nations. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the causes of corruption and assess the nature of its prevalence, gravity and persistency from one government/ regime to another in Nigeria. The paper adopted the conflict theorist by attempting to explain the motivational phenomena responsible for the persistency and unexacting acts of corruption in Nigeria. The position of the paper is that the perspective provided some knowledge into social challenges, as well as the general perception of corruption trend and its devastating impact on sustainable development in Nigeria. The documentary approach was extensively used in conducting the research. The study therefore recommends that steadfastness and spirit of uncompromising zeal that is devoid of sentiment would help to arrest and put an end to the reign of corruption in Nigeria. The process should also involve a holistic approach that require optimal commitment from top to bottom. And policy makers should endeavour to suggest ideas that would be implanted and not ending up in the archives, by signing agreements with government that such policies after being studied would find its way into the society.
