Nigeria has recorded a marginal improvement in Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), ranking 140th out of 180 countries, a five-place rise from 145th in 2023.
The country’s score also inched up from 25/100 in 2023 to 26/100 in 2024, reflecting minor progress in the fight against corruption.
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released annually by Transparency International, measures public sector corruption using data from reputable global institutions, including the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. The scoring system ranks countries from 0 to 100, where 0 represents a highly corrupt country, and 100 signifies an absence of corruption.
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Despite Nigeria’s improved ranking, the country remains one of the most corruption-prone nations globally. The report also reveals that Nigeria is now perceived as more corrupt than it was a decade ago, a disappointing contrast to expectations set by former President Muhammadu Buhari, elected in 2015 on the promise of eradicating corruption.
Global Corruption Trends and the Impact of Corruption
The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index highlights corruption as a persistent global challenge. While 32 countries have significantly improved their rankings since 2012, a staggering 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened.
The global average CPI score remains 43, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50, indicating that corruption remains a major barrier to development and governance worldwide.
A notable aspect of the 2024 Transparency International report is the link between corruption and climate change. The report highlights how weak governance structures allow for the mismanagement of climate funds, delaying crucial projects to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. In countries with high levels of corruption, climate funds are often diverted, leading to slow progress in environmental protection.
A Decade of Decline: Nigeria More Corrupt in 2024 Than in 2014
The latest CPI rankings paint a bleak picture of Nigeria’s fight against corruption over the past decade. In 2014, Nigeria ranked 136th out of 175 countries with a score of 27/100. By 2024, Nigeria has slipped to 140th out of 180 countries with a lower score of 26/100.
In simpler terms, in 2014, Nigeria was perceived as more corrupt than 135 countries. A decade later, the country is now seen as more corrupt than 139 nations, despite repeated claims of anti-corruption successes.
This is particularly significant considering the widespread optimism surrounding Buhari’s presidency. Elected on an anti-corruption promises, Buhari was seen as Nigeria’s anti-corruption czar, with many expecting him to curb corruption drastically. However, rather than improving, corruption flourished under his watch, with officials in his government accused of looting public funds with impunity.
Comparing Nigeria to Other African Nations
While Nigeria recorded a slight improvement in its ranking, it continues to lag behind several African countries that have made significant progress in tackling corruption. Seychelles remains Africa’s least corrupt country, scoring 72, followed by Cabo Verde (62), Namibia (59), Mauritius (56), Rwanda (57), and Botswana (57). These nations have implemented stronger anti-corruption frameworks, accountability mechanisms, and governance reforms, allowing them to maintain their higher rankings.
Nigeria’s continued struggles with corruption contrast sharply with these nations, whose governments have demonstrated greater political will and institutional integrity in the fight against corruption.
Nigeria’s current ranking is attributed to significant corruption-related challenges, including embezzlement of public funds, bribery, electoral malpractice, weak institutional frameworks, and lack of transparency in public procurement.
To build on its modest gains, anti-corruption advocates recommend strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). They emphasize the need for stronger accountability measures, judicial independence, and greater transparency in government spending and procurement.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly pledged commitment to fighting corruption, with policies aimed at improving governance and enhancing public sector efficiency. However, experts caution that political will and public participation will be key to achieving meaningful and lasting progress.
While the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index shows marginal improvement for Nigeria, the overall trend over the past decade is perceived to be disheartening. The country’s ranking and score have failed to improve significantly, leaving it among the most corrupt nations globally.