The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has been ranked as the most transparent public institution in Nigeria, according to the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII).
NOSDRA scored an impressive 78.84%, followed closely by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) with 78.21%, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with 78.13%. The index evaluated 517 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) based on five key variables: fiscal transparency, open procurement, human resource and inclusion, control of corruption, and citizen engagement.
The assessment, conducted by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), aimed to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector. According to Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of CeFTPI, “The figures speak for themselves. Citizens rely on these agencies every day, yet the institutions meant to manage trillions in revenue and services lack the transparency expected of them.”
Unfortunately, over 500 MDAs ranked low, with 511 institutions scoring below the 50% benchmark. Some notable agencies that performed poorly include the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These agencies failed to meet the transparency test, raising concerns about service delivery and accountability.
The Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, emphasized the need for transparency in governance. “Defence and security institutions cannot continue to operate like black boxes. Nigerians deserve to know how their resources are being deployed.” Arabi noted that the poor showing was not only about corruption but also weak compliance, adding that “our job is to close those gaps and make transparency the norm.”
The 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index is expected to form part of broader governance reforms, promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector. As Dr. Yakubu noted, “We want to see improvement. Transparency is not a luxury, it is a necessity for national development.”
The top performers in the index are a testament to the potential for transparency and accountability in governance. NOSDRA’s score of 78.84% is a notable achievement, and the agency’s commitment to transparency is commendable. As the country continues to work towards improving governance and accountability, the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index serves as a valuable tool for guiding reforms.
