This study investigates the effects of pay vis-à-vis elements of the ethics infrastructure that contribute to effective administrative control; and to unethical practices in the Nigerian public service. Based on critical analysis of primary official and secondary data, the study reveals that corruption and financial impropriety are far more common and intense among higher public officials who, incidentally, are better remunerated, than among the lower cadre officials, who are poorly remunerated. The study shows that despite the emphasis on the compliance or sanction approach to administrative ethics rather than the virtue approach, there is still wide incongruence between the ethical approach adopted and the expected results. This is because of the existence of a weak political and administrative control system at the higher administrative functions. The study suggests that reducing unethical practices should aim at improving openness and transparency at the high level through more citizen involvement and civil society action, reviewing the criminal justice system to ensure severe punishment that can serve the purpose of deterrence and prevention, speedy dispatch of corruption cases and strengthening of oversight linkages between the public institutions and ethics coordinating institutions.