• CISLAC calls for stronger anti-graft measures
By 'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Nigeria has been ranked 140th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International (TI), marking a slight improvement from its previous rankings but still placing it among the most corrupt nations globally. The report, unveiled on Tuesday, shows Nigeria moving up five spots from its 2023 position and ten spots from 2022, with a score of 26 out of 100 points.
Despite this marginal progress, Nigeria remains in the company of countries like Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq, and Cameroon, which share the same score. In Africa, Cape Verde emerged as the least corrupt nation, ranking 35th globally with 62 points, while South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela were listed as the most corrupt countries worldwide.
The CPI, which measures perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), revealed that corruption remains a global menace, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. Denmark topped the list as the least corrupt country with 90 points, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84).
Transparency International’s Chair, Francois Valeria, noted that while 32 countries have significantly reduced corruption levels since 2012, 148 nations, including Nigeria, have either stagnated or worsened. “Corruption is a dangerous problem in every part of the world, but change for the better is happening in many countries,” Valeria said. He also highlighted the link between corruption and climate action, stating that corrupt practices hinder efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to global heating.
In response to the report, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Nigerian government to strengthen its anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), emphasized the need for these agencies to operate independently, free from political interference, and with adequate funding.
Musa outlined several measures to enhance Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework. He stressed the importance of swift and fair trials for corruption cases, ensuring that justice is delivered without delay or bias. He also called for judicial integrity monitoring, including the implementation of whistleblowing mechanisms and mandatory asset disclosure for public officials.
Additionally, Musa emphasized the need for impartial investigations into corruption within the security sector, which he said is critical to addressing Nigeria’s worsening security situation. He urged the government to strictly enforce the Public Procurement Act 2007, advocating for complete digitization of procurement processes and public access to government contracts and budgets to promote transparency.
Furthermore, Musa highlighted the importance of establishing a national asset database under the Proceeds of Crime (and Management) Act 2022. This database, he said, should be accessible to the public to ensure accountability and prevent the misuse of recovered assets.
“Nigeria must take decisive steps to address corruption, which continues to undermine development, fuel insecurity, and erode public trust in governance,” Musa stated.
As Nigeria grapples with its corruption challenges, the 2024 CPI serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms and stronger political will to combat graft. While the slight improvement in ranking offers a glimmer of hope, stakeholders agree that sustained efforts are required to ensure Nigeria breaks free from the grip of corruption and achieves meaningful progress in governance and development.
