The recently released 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International (TI) continues to generate discussions and reactions. According to the organisation, the CPI, assesses perceived public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories worldwide, scoring them on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
The report launched by the Nigerian of TI, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) shows that Nigeria recorded little progress in 2024.
Just a week later, Nigeria’s Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT), organized a Public Presentation of the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (TI-CIP) Assessments in the country, which covers 6 Years (2019 – 2024).
The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative(NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji at the public presentation of the Review, associated the marginal improvement to ongoing reforms in public financial management, increased enforcement actions by anti-corruption agencies, and Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks for transparency.
“Nigeria’s global ranking in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) report signals progress in the collective efforts to combat corruption – civil society, media, and international partners to reinforce accountability mechanisms”. The NEITI Executive Secretary said.
CISLAC and Nigerian NGOs’ Outlook on 2024 CPI Performance
The 2024 CPI shows Nigeria improving slightly from 25 to 26 out of 100, moving up five places in global rankings from 145th to 140th out of 180 countries.
Although this report indicates improvement, Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani while launching the report in Abuja, raised the issue of systemic corruption, particularly in the judiciary, security sector, oil industry, and government procurement processes. According to him, the situation translates to difficulties in daily living for citizens
“We have every reason to worry about corruption in Nigeria, and that is why the Transparency International corruption Index should be seen as a wakeup call to block leakages, especially in our public system where citizens cannot even access public services without being extorted or forced to give bribe. In some instances, if you don’t agree to give bribe, you may lose your life.” Rafsanjani said
Also, Friday Odeh, Country Director, Accountability Lab while applauding renewed commitment from anticorruption agencies in investigating corruption cases and bringing it to court, emphasized the need for effective monitoring and management of the recovered funds, with more attention paid to high-profile individuals.
On their part, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), represented by Folashade Arigbabu, believes selective tax waivers need to be eliminated. Also, an enabling environment should exist for citizens to express their rights to freedom of information and expression.
The Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) consists of over 20 anti-corruption, with NEITI as the Chair. On that basis, Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji, during the Public Presentation of the publication of the 6 Years Transparency International Corruption Perception Index Assessments in Nigeria promised to work with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria achieves a transformative improvement in future corruption perception rankings.