Mo Ibrahim

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.