Nigeria has received a score of 24 out of 100 points and a ranking of 150th out of 180 countries in the 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International. Despite maintaining its previous year’s score of 24, the country has improved its ranking from 154th to 150th.
The data for the ranking was sourced from eight globally recognized organizations, including the World Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment and the World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey. In recent years, Nigeria has experienced a decline in its CPI ranking, scoring 27 in 2012, 25 in 2013, and 24 in both 2021 and 2022.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission declined to comment on the score and ranking. At a press conference, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International stated that the pardon of two former governors by the Buhari administration in 2022 was a setback in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. CISLAC also cited prevalent insecurity, lack of press freedom, and a lack of transparency in various sectors as contributing factors to corruption in the country.
Sub-Saharan Africa, which includes 44 of the 49 countries assessed in the region, received a regional average score of 32 out of 100, indicating a continued trend of corruption in the region. The region faces challenges in the areas of democracy, security, and development, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and an increased cost of living.
The results of this year’s CPI underline the interconnected paths of corruption, democracy, security, and development and highlight the need for action to address these issues in Nigeria and the wider region.
How Nigeria can rank better on next year’s corruption index
- Strengthening the rule of law: Ensuring an independent and fair justice system that holds corrupt officials accountable and protects the rights of citizens.
- Increasing transparency: Implementing measures such as open data initiatives and freedom of information laws to increase transparency and accountability in government and business.
- Reducing opportunities for corruption: Streamlining processes and reducing red tape to reduce opportunities for corruption in the public sector.
- Promoting integrity: Encouraging ethical behavior and promoting integrity in public institutions through codes of conduct and training programs.
- Involving citizens: Encouraging active citizen participation in the fight against corruption and creating opportunities for people to report corruption.
- Addressing political corruption: Strengthening campaign finance and lobbying regulations, increasing transparency in political party financing, and promoting open and competitive elections.
- Enhancing public sector accountability: Improving public sector financial management, reducing waste and inefficiency, and increasing accountability for the use of public resources.
