FG Unveils 2025 Transparency, Integrity Index, Reveals Widespread Gaps in Public Accountability
The Federal Government has launched the 2025 edition of the Transparency and Integrity Index (TII), a nationwide framework designed to evaluate how well government institutions comply with transparency, openness, and accountability standards.
The initiative, jointly developed by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), aims to strengthen integrity within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as state governments.
The official unveiling of the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index and its new methodology handbook took place in Abuja, where government officials, civil society representatives, and development partners gathered to discuss how transparency can be institutionalized across all levels of governance.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, said the index provides a comprehensive tool for measuring compliance with disclosure laws and assessing how effectively public institutions adhere to global standards of accountability.
He explained that the 2025 edition marks the fifth consecutive year of the assessment, covering more than 500 public institutions nationwide.
The index evaluates performance based on five core pillars — fiscal transparency, open procurement, control of corruption, human resource and inclusion, and citizen engagement.
Each pillar contributes 20 percent of the total score, creating a balanced framework that assesses both administrative efficiency and ethical governance.
According to the 2025 report, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) emerged as the most transparent institution, topping the national ranking with a score of 78.84 percent.
It was followed closely by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) with 78.21 percent, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which came third with 78.13 percent.
However, the report revealed that a majority of public institutions still perform poorly. Over 400 MDAs reportedly scored below 50 percent, and nine recorded zero — showing no evidence of compliance with basic transparency obligations.
Among ministries, the report highlighted low scores from key sectors such as Agriculture, Water Resources, Youth and Sports, Power, and Health.
At the sub-national level, the report showed that no Nigerian state surpassed the 50 percent benchmark for transparency and integrity.
Kaduna State ranked highest with a score of 49.08 percent, followed by Kano, Osun, Rivers, and Kebbi. States such as Lagos, Imo, Bayelsa, Edo, and Niger were among the lowest-ranked, scoring between 8 and 15 percent.
While unveiling the index, the BPSR chief emphasized that the initiative was not intended to shame institutions but to drive reform and encourage self-evaluation.
“This index helps us identify where transparency is weak and where we must take deliberate steps to strengthen governance systems,” he said.
The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity added that the findings serve as a call to action for both federal and state governments to embrace open governance, digital disclosure, and citizen participation. It urged agencies that performed poorly to take the 2025 results as an opportunity to improve compliance and rebuild public trust.
Analysts say the new index is a wake-up call for Nigeria’s public sector, especially at the state level, where opacity in budgeting, procurement, and reporting remains widespread.
They note that sustained improvement will depend not only on rankings but also on political will, enforcement of transparency laws, and consistent public pressure for accountability.
The 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index was released in conjunction with the International Day for Universal Access to Information, reflecting Nigeria’s growing commitment to promoting openness and reducing corruption in government operations.
