Nigeria has been so plagued by political and socioeconomic corruption and recently, the country was ranked 150th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2022 corruption perception index. The index released exclusively in Nigeria by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) indicated that the perception of corruption that has ravaged Nigeria, even though the index did not specifically target any corruption incident. Regardless, the index was described as impartial, objective and globally accepted as a cross-country paradigm for quantifying corruption.
The Transparency International emphasized that the index perception was in no way an assessment of the country’s anti-graft agencies who were making tremendous efforts to curb corruption in the country, despite the political interferences. The corruption perception index, known to be published at the beginning of the year, has come at an immensely crucial moment for Nigeria and Africa, with Nigeria’s general election in the loop. The report further explained that although Nigerians had rooftop expectations as regards this administration addressing the corruption challenges, the corruption ratio had only worsened.
Passage of important legislation, positive for Nigeria’s corruption fight.
While Nigeria moved up 4 spots in the country ranking, it maintained its previous score of 24, the lowest recorded by CPI since 2012, indicating a slowdown in the constant decline, as observed in the past three CPIs. The CISLAC/TI-Nigeria pointed out important areas as to why Nigeria did not witness an upward or downward move in the latest CPI ranking and while some of these reasons were positive, others were negative. Some of the positive factors included the passage of important legislation. Passing the Electoral Act 2022 was noted to have further enhanced Nigeria’s electoral system, improving the citizens’ confidence in the electoral process for the impending election.
The report further pointed out that the passage of the Proceeds of Crime (and Management) Act 2022 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) were also immensely necessary for enhancing the country’s asset recovery process and legal framework when fighting and preventing money laundering and related crimes. The organization further recognized the consistent resolve of the anti-graft agencies in addressing the corruption related challenges in the country despite the constant political interferences. These efforts, it confirmed, cut across investigations and increased convictions.
Lack of accountability highlighted as one of Nigeria’s weaknesses.
On the highlighted weaknesses, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria pointed out that the deliberate pardon of certain individuals by the present administration was a major setback in the country’s fight against corruption. This act was described as damaging for its failure of equity and fairness. This was noted to have contributed negatively in the country’s efforts to curb corruption. The prevalence of high profile corruption and the failure at investigating corruption cases like the Panama papers, Paradite papers and Pandora papers were other weaknesses noted. The recurrent problems of oil theft in spite of the presence of security agencies which have caused an increased spending on security was also highlighted as a challenge in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. News of oil thefts continually strike the oil industry, causing the country to fail to reach OPEC’s quota.
In the face of brazen attacks on lives and properties, the lack of accountability and transparency was again highlighted as a major weakness of the country and despite these consistent attacks, no individual had been held responsible for these atrocities. In fact, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria was reported in the past, to have argued about the link between corruption in the security sector and the rise of insecurity in Nigeria. Judicial issues was also cited as another important weakness. The Nigerian Judiciary was attributed to have contributed to the rise of corruption in the country.
CISLAC urges relevant bodies to ensure free, fair and credible election.
The organization however urged the president and other relevant bodies such as INEC, political parties and security agencies to ensure a free, fair and credible general election. The president was advised to make necessary consultations with citizens, the media, civil society and other actors before presidential pardons are enacted. The presidency was also urged to address the lingering oil theft challenge and ensure transparency in the fuel subsidy process. The organization also noted that relevant agencies must investigate the importation of toxic fuel in the country and punish the perpetrators. With the impending election drawing near, the Judiciary was also advised to ensure that justice is served.
Related Link
Transparency International: Website
Nigeria ranks 150th on corruption index – Nigeria moves 4 spots in country rankings despite maintaining previous score. – Express your point of view.
It is so unfortunate we are still below the ranking in corruption. The government is corrupt, the people are also corrupt. Nothing can come out from this corruption.
The present administration reign could be regarded as failure of equity and fairness. Their deeds have proven majority at the top are corrupted. I pray for God’s intervention towards the upcoming election, and we have to vote wisely.
the impression that widespread corruption has plagued Nigeria, despite the fact that the index did not focus on any particular instance of corruption in particular.
The index was regarded as being impartial, objective, and universally accepted as a paradigm for comparing and contrasting corruption levels among countries.
Many things is been wrong with Nigeria foundation from the unset and this has been a battle been fault since long time ago and the major problem is corruption in all areas both public and private sectors..The data from the article is correct.
Transparency International underlined that the index perception was in no way an evaluation of the country’s anti-graft authorities, and that this was not the case at all.
Wow, despite the political involvement, they were really putting in a lot of work to try to clean up the rotten system in the country, right?
The persistent problems of oil theft, which continue to occur despite the presence of security services, have led to an increase in the amount of money spent on security.
The Corruption Perceptions Index, which is traditionally released at the beginning of each year, has appeared at a time that is extraordinarily significant for both Nigeria and Africa.
The trafficking of harmful gasoline into the country should be investigated by the appropriate agencies, and those responsible should be punished.
Nigeria ranks 150th on corruption index. 😂 this country Nigeria is something else. Corruption has eaten so deep into government heart
With the recent happenings in the country, it is very obvious that Nigeria is plague with corrupt practices and has become our way of life. It is not surprising that Nigeria ranks 150 in the corrupt index.
Corruption can be seen in every nocks and crannies of Nigerian society. Corruption has become norms that you have to abide by to have eay access to whatever you want to get. Government and their officials including private companies are not left out in this practice. Seeing Nigeria move in the corrupt index and not ranking 150th in position it not surprising.
As a standard by which to evaluate and contrast the prevalence of corruption in various nations, the index was held in the highest regard for its perceived objectivity, fairness, and objectivity.
Given recent events, it’s clear that corruption is pervasive in Nigeria and has even become the norm. Indeed, it should come as no shock that the Corruption Perceptions Index places Nigeria at position 150.
regardless of the index’s lack of specificity, the notion that widespread corruption has afflicted Nigeria.
With Nigeria’s general election on the horizon, the corruption perception index, which is typically released at the beginning of the year, has arrived at a pivotal time for Nigeria and Africa.
This show how corrupt we are in the country we all corrupt not only our leader but the peole also corruption as been our major problem which we are yet to overcome
Unfortunately, our level of corruption remains modest relative to other countries. The people are just as corrupt as the government. There is no way this corruption can ever be fixed.
Recent occurrences have shown that corruption is widespread in Nigeria and has even started to be accepted as the standard. The fact that Nigeria is ranked 150th on the Corruption Perceptions Index should not be shocking.