ICPC Ranks Second in 2026 Transparency Index, Scores 80.13%

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has emerged as the second most transparent federal institution in Nigeria, scoring 80.13 per cent in the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII).

The assessment, conducted by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), ranked the anti-corruption agency second among 518 federal institutions assessed nationwide.

ICPC was also among only four institutions that attained the “Excellent” performance band of 70 per cent and above in the assessment.

The latest rating represents an improvement on the Commission’s 2025 performance, when it scored 78.13 per cent and ranked third among 575 institutions.

Its score increased by two percentage points in 2026, moving it from third to second position nationally.

Reacting to the development, ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, said the recognition would encourage the Commission to deepen its institutional reforms and transparency measures.

“I am delighted that the progress we are making as a Commission is being independently recognised. For an anti-corruption agency, we understand that we must not only demand transparency, accountability and integrity from other public institutions; we must also demonstrate these values in our own systems and operations,” he said.

Aliyu, however, said the Commission would not become complacent, stressing that greater attention would be given to areas requiring improvement ahead of the 2027 assessment.

He said the Commission would examine its performance across the thematic areas covered by the Index, strengthen its systems and work towards improving its rating.

The 2026 assessment showed the generally low level of transparency across Nigeria’s federal public sector, with only eight of the 518 institutions assessed scoring above 50 per cent, while just four attained the “Excellent” benchmark.

The Transparency and Integrity Index measures public institutions across several areas, including disclosure of financial information, procurement and contracting, human resources, anti-corruption measures and citizens’ engagement.

It also assesses the availability of budget and financial records, recruitment and staff information, whistleblowing policies and mechanisms through which citizens can access information and participate in public processes.

The latest result sustains ICPC’s upward trajectory in the annual assessment. In 2025, the Commission ranked third behind the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

The Commission said the result reinforces its commitment to leading by example by strengthening internal systems that promote transparency, accountability and ethical conduct.

The 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index was unveiled in Abuja on September 28, 2026, in the presence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi; as well as representatives of government institutions and civil society organisations.

CeFTPI established the Transparency and Integrity Index in 2021 as an annual evidence-based assessment of public institutions, focusing on proactive disclosure, accountability, citizens’ access to information and institutional mechanisms for preventing corruption.