Bad Governance

By Uzair Adam

The 2024 African Governance and Transparency Index, published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, has highlighted pressing governance challenges for Nigeria, revealing a steady decline in critical governance metrics.

Victor Okebe Agi, Public Relations Officer at the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, noted that the report placed Nigeria 33rd out of 53 African nations, with an overall score of 45.7 out of 100, down by 1.4 points since 2014.

Nigeria’s performance was particularly weak in key categories such as Security, Rule of Law (39.7), Participation, Rights and Inclusion (47.9), Foundations for Economic Opportunity (48.6), and Human Development (46.4).

Further analysis by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity’s Transparency and Integrity Index reveals systemic governance issues across federal, state, and local institutions.

These findings suggest broader institutional challenges and a declining national standing within Africa and globally.

The report warns that Nigeria’s governance issues—lack of transparency, inadequate public sector accountability, and inconsistent anti-corruption efforts—have far-reaching implications.

“The decline in Nigeria’s governance not only affects national stability but also deters foreign investment and hinders economic growth,” it states, emphasizing the need for immediate reforms.

The Centre has urged the government to address these issues by enhancing anti-corruption mechanisms, improving compliance with the Public Procurement Act, and establishing stronger protections for whistleblowers.

Moreover, bolstering judicial reforms and promoting inclusive policies are vital to restoring public trust and ensuring equal justice.

The report concludes with a call for increased investment in healthcare, education, and skills training, aiming to build human capital that can drive Nigeria’s future economic growth and competitiveness across Africa.

By Anwar Usman

The management of Dawanau International Grains Market in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State has taken a step to protect the market by engaging over 800 additional vigilantes to protect the market against potential attack.

The President of the market association, Alhaji Muntaka Isa, told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in a telephone interview on Monday that the measure would effectively protect the market from vandalism and theft.

Isa highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Army, Police, and state security agencies, which have significantly enhanced the market’s security.

He said an additional 800 vigilance group members were have been engaged to work together with the security personnel so as to protect the market against thugs.

He said that the market has faced threats from hoodlums in neighbouring areas, such as Kurna Asabe and Bachirawa, who had attempted to enter and steal food items force and to forestall this, they resorted to this decision.

Isa added that “the market’s management was committed to supporting the security personnel deployed to protect public buildings against vandalism”.

Isa further urged the residents of the neighbouring communities to assist the security personnel by providing important information on the movement of hoodlums.

According to him, this is with the view to ensuring the safety and security of the market, its public and its critical stakeholders.