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• With critical deficits in security, rule of law, and human development
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Nigeria’s governance standards have slipped significantly, according to the newly released 2024 Mo Ibrahim Index on African Governance. With a score of 45.7 out of 100 and a rank of 33 out of 53 African nations, the report highlights an urgent need for governance reform to tackle systemic weaknesses in the country's public sector and societal infrastructure.
The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, through its spokesperson Victor Okebe Agi, noted that Nigeria’s governance score has declined by -1.4 points between 2014 and 2023, signaling a troubling trend in critical areas like security, rule of law, public sector accountability, and human development.
Daily Courier reports that Nigeria's previous performance on the Mo Ibrahim Index has reflected ongoing governance challenges, with fluctuating scores that highlight both slow progress and persistent weaknesses across core areas of governance.
In past reports, Nigeria has consistently ranked low compared to other African nations, particularly in categories like security, rule of law, and human development. Despite its size and economic potential, Nigeria’s governance scores have often been undermined by issues such as limited transparency, inconsistent anti-corruption enforcement, and inadequate provision of public services. Over the years, the country has struggled to gain ground on these indicators, with minimal improvements often offset by setbacks in political stability, accountability, and public sector effectiveness.
The Mo Ibrahim report placed particular emphasis on Nigeria’s low performance in categories essential for sustainable growth, including Security and Rule of Law (39.7), Participation, Rights and Inclusion (47.9), Foundations for Economic Opportunity (48.6), and Human Development (46.4). The findings paint a complex picture of governance issues compounded by a lack of transparency, inconsistent enforcement of anti-corruption measures, and underperformance across the nation's 36 states and 774 local governments, as reflected in the Centre’s own Transparency and Integrity Index 2024.
“Nigeria, often regarded as ‘the giant of Africa,’ is seeing its standing diminish on both regional and global fronts,” the Centre stated, urging government bodies to adopt stronger transparency and accountability measures to rebuild trust.
The report warns that a lack of rule of law, pervasive insecurity, and slow economic progress are hampering Nigeria’s influence on the continent and making it less attractive to foreign investors. The Centre further called for immediate action in strengthening public procurement practices, establishing robust whistleblower protections, and enforcing judicial reforms that ensure fair treatment for all citizens.
With governance failures contributing to increased poverty, inequality, and a strained infrastructure, the Centre emphasized that addressing these governance gaps is crucial for socio-economic progress. The report calls on authorities to invest in human capital by expanding healthcare, education, and skills training to build a competitive workforce. It also encourages the government to foster a stable business environment that supports local businesses and attracts foreign investment, making Nigeria a stronger competitor on the African stage.
The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity calls upon civil society, the media, and the private sector to support governance reforms, stressing the importance of a united approach in championing human development, the rule of law, and transparent governance practices. Only through collective efforts, the Centre argues, can Nigeria overcome its current governance challenges and restore its position as a leader on the African continent.
