Nigeria’s Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and Kaduna State have secured top positions in the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII), according to a report released by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI). The findings, presented at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, underscore significant strides in institutional accountability but also reveal widespread underperformance across many public bodies and states.
The TII, developed in 2021 by CeFTPI in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), evaluates institutions on transparency, accountability, and integrity across five thematic areas: Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement and Contracting, Human Resources and Inclusion, Control of Corruption, and Citizens’ Engagement. The report assessed 518 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), government-owned enterprises, and 36 states, with only a fraction achieving scores above 50%.
NIPC emerged as the most transparent federal institution, scoring 84.14%, while Kaduna State led among states with 54.68%. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) ranked second with 80.13%, followed by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) at 78.43% and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) at 73.22%. However, the report noted that 120 institutions scored below 20%, with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development ranking last at 0%.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, emphasized the need for institutions to use the report’s findings to drive reforms. “For agencies scoring well, the task is to consolidate and sustain best practices,” he stated. “For those with gaps, introspection and action are critical. Leaders must ask: Why did we score this way, and what practical steps can we take to improve?” Akume urged integration of the report’s insights into strategic planning, budgeting, and public communication.
The TII’s methodology includes evaluating financial disclosure, procurement processes, human resource practices, anti-corruption measures, and citizen engagement. Notably, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) achieved a perfect 100% score in financial transparency, while 14 institutions surpassed the 50% threshold. Among states, Kwara State led with 100%, followed by Kogi and Rivers at 95.55%, and Bauchi and Gombe at 93.33% and 91.11%, respectively.
In procurement, the ICPC and NIPC scored 100%, while the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) trailed at 80%. For human resources and inclusion, the ICPC led with 87.50%, but all states scored below 30%. Under corruption control, the Bank of Industry (BOI), DBN, and NOSDRA topped the list with 100%, while Kaduna State was the only state to achieve a perfect score in this category.
Citizens’ engagement saw 378 institutions score above 50%, with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) and Nigeria Insurance Corporation (NIC) leading at 100%. However, 31 states scored 60% or higher, while Ebonyi State ranked last with 0%. The report highlighted disparities, noting that compliance with transparency standards remains concentrated in certain institutions and regions.
Umar Yakubu, executive director of CeFTPI, acknowledged progress but stressed the need for broader reforms. “Compliance is not well spread. Ministries need to do better, particularly in financials and open procurement,” he said. Dasuki Arabi, director general of BPSR, emphasized the index’s role in addressing public concerns about resource management and procurement fairness. “The motive is not punitive but to encourage transparency and accountability,” he added.
The 2026 TII marks an improvement over the 2025 rankings, where no institution exceeded 80%. However, challenges persist, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development’s zero score and Niger State’s last-place finish. The report also revealed that 24 states scored above 50% in financial disclosure, but only 14 institutions met this threshold.
Public interest implications are significant, as transparency is critical to combating corruption and enhancing governance. The report’s findings could influence policy reforms, budget allocations, and public trust in institutions. For instance, Kaduna’s leadership in corruption control and financial transparency sets a benchmark for other states, while the underperformance of many MDAs highlights systemic inefficiencies.
The report’s release coincides with growing public demand for accountability, particularly amid controversies over projects like the N117.5bn Medical City in Akwa Ibom and healthcare crises in Benue’s IDP camps. Civil society groups have called for stricter enforcement of transparency laws, citing the TII as a tool to hold institutions accountable.
In response to the findings, the Federal Government has urged agencies to align their operations with the TII’s standards. George Akume reiterated the importance of integrating the report into management decisions, stating, “The report should inform procurement processes, staff training, and digital disclosure.” He also commended CeFTPI and BPSR for their role in advancing governance reforms.
The 2026 TII underscores the dual challenges of progress and stagnation in Nigeria’s public sector. While NIPC and Kaduna exemplify best practices, the report reveals a stark divide between high-performing institutions and those requiring urgent intervention. As the nation grapples with corruption and inefficiency, the TII serves as both a mirror and a roadmap for improvement.
The findings also highlight the need for state-level reforms, as only 24 out of 36 states scored above 50% in financial disclosure. Kaduna’s success in corruption control and citizens’ engagement offers a model for other states, but the overall low scores indicate a systemic lack of commitment to transparency. The report’s call for introspection and action remains a critical step toward fostering accountability across Nigeria’s public institutions.