Nigeria moves up in 2024 Corruption Perception Index, ranks 140 

This marks a five-place improvement from its position at 145 in 2023.

The country’s score also increased marginally from 25/100 in 2023 to 26/100 in 2024.

The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International on Tuesday ranks countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using data from various reputable sources, including the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.

A score of 100 indicates a corruption-free country, while 0 signifies a highly corrupt system. Nigeria’s historical performance on the index shows an average score of 21.48 points since 1996, with the highest score of 28 recorded in 2016.

Nigeria’s score reached an all-time high of 28.00 points in 2016 and a record low of 6.90 Points in 1996, according to Transparency International.

While Nigeria made slight progress in 2024, it continues to lag behind several African nations in the fight against corruption. Seychelles remains the highest-ranked African country, scoring 72, followed by Cabo Verde (62), Namibia (59), Mauritius (56), Rwanda (57), and Botswana (57). These countries have implemented stronger anti-corruption frameworks, accountability mechanisms, and governance reforms, contributing to their higher rankings.

The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index highlights the widespread nature of corruption across the globe. While 32 countries have significantly improved their rankings since 2012, the majority—148 countries—have either stagnated or worsened in corruption levels. The global average score remains at 43, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50, indicating that corruption remains a persistent challenge.

Research from Transparency International also demonstrates the link between corruption and climate change. Corruption has been identified as a major obstacle to effective climate action, as it hinders efforts to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the effects of global warming. Weak governance structures allow for mismanagement of climate funds and projects, delaying progress in mitigating environmental challenges.

Despite its slight improvement in the latest CPI ranking, Nigeria still faces significant corruption-related challenges. The country continues to grapple with issues such as embezzlement of public funds, bribery, electoral malpractice, and weak institutional frameworks that allow corruption to thrive.

The Nigerian government has expressed commitment to tackling corruption, with policies aimed at improving governance, enhancing public sector efficiency, and promoting transparency. However, sustained efforts, political will, and public participation will be crucial in achieving significant improvements in future CPI rankings.