Emmanuel Ochayi
Nigeria has slightly improved in the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, ranking 140 out of 180 countries in 2024. This marks an improvement from its position of 145 in 2023.
The country’s score also increased from 25 out of 100 in 2023 to 26 out of 100 in 2024. The index measures perceived levels of corruption in the public sector using data from reputable organisations, including the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA score of 100 indicates a corruption-free country, while a score of 0 represents a highly corrupt system. Nigeria’s historical performance on the index shows an average score of 21.48 points since 1996, with its highest score of 28 recorded in 2016.
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Nigeria’s Ranking Compared to Other African Nations
Despite the slight improvement, Nigeria still lags behind several African countries in the fight against corruption. Seychelles remains the highest-ranked African nation, scoring 72, followed by:
- Cabo Verde (62)
- Namibia (59)
- Rwanda (57)
- Botswana (57)
- Mauritius (56)
These countries have implemented stronger anti-corruption policies, accountability mechanisms, and governance reforms, which contribute to their higher rankings on the Corruption Perception Index.
Global Trends in Corruption Perception Index
The 2024 Corruption Perception Index highlights the ongoing corruption challenges worldwide. According to Transparency International:
- 32 countries have significantly improved their scores since 2012.
- 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened.
- The global average score remains 43 out of 100.
- Over two-thirds of countries scored below 50, indicating that corruption is still a global issue.
Transparency International’s report also links corruption to climate change, stating that weak governance structures allow for the mismanagement of climate funds and projects. This delays efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate environmental damage.
Challenges Nigeria Still Faces in Fighting Corruption
Although Nigeria has moved up in the Corruption Perception Index, corruption remains a serious problem in the country. Some of the key challenges include:
- Embezzlement of public funds – Cases of misappropriation continue to affect governance.
- Bribery and extortion – Many citizens and businesses face corruption in daily transactions.
- Electoral malpractice – Corruption influences elections and governance decisions.
- Weak institutions – Anti-corruption agencies often lack the resources and independence to function effectively.
Despite the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), corruption remains widespread in both public and private sectors.
What Can Be Done to Improve Nigeria’s CPI Ranking?
Experts have suggested several measures to improve Nigeria’s ranking in the Corruption Perception Index:
- Strengthening Anti-Corruption Agencies – Providing more independence and funding to agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.
- Improving Transparency in Government – Making public procurement and budgeting more open to scrutiny.
- Judicial Reforms – Ensuring that corruption cases are prosecuted effectively and without political interference.
- Political Will – Leaders must show genuine commitment to fighting corruption at all levels.
- Public Participation – Citizens should be encouraged to hold government officials accountable.
Government’s Response to Corruption
The Nigerian government has repeatedly stated its commitment to tackling corruption. Efforts include:
- Implementing policies aimed at improving governance.
- Enhancing efficiency in the public sector.
- Promoting transparency in financial transactions.
However, many Nigerians remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures, as corruption continues to affect various sectors of the economy.
Nigeria’s improvement in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index is a step in the right direction, but the country still has a long way to go in its fight against corruption. Strengthening institutions, enforcing accountability, and increasing transparency are key to making lasting progress.
As the global trend shows, corruption remains a major barrier to development. For Nigeria to achieve significant progress in future Corruption Perception Index rankings, strong political will and active public participation will be essential.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
