The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has scored 80.13 per cent in the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII), moving to second place among 518 federal institutions assessed nationwide. This represents an improvement from its 2025 performance, when it scored 78.13 per cent and ranked third among 575 institutions assessed. The ICPC's score increased by two percentage points, while its national ranking improved by one position.
According to the ICPC's spokesperson, John Odey, the commission was one of only four institutions to attain the "Excellent" performance band, which applies to scores of 70 per cent and above. The improvement reflected continued efforts to strengthen the commission's internal transparency, accountability and institutional integrity mechanisms. This development is significant, as the ICPC's mandate is centred on combating corruption in Nigeria's public sector.
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, welcomed the recognition, describing it as evidence that the reforms being implemented within the commission were receiving independent assessment. He stressed that the responsibility of an anti-corruption institution extends beyond demanding higher standards from other public institutions. "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.
Despite the improved rating, Aliyu cautioned the commission's management and staff against becoming complacent. He said the result should instead encourage the institution to identify areas where its performance could be strengthened ahead of subsequent assessments. The commission will examine its performance across the thematic areas covered by the index and strengthen systems where weaknesses are identified.
The 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index was unveiled in Abuja on September 28, 2026, in the presence of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other government officials. The Centre for Transparency and Integrity in Public Institutions (CeFTPI) established the Transparency and Integrity Index in 2021 as an annual evidence-based assessment of public institutions.
The index focuses on areas including proactive disclosure, accountability, citizens' access to information and institutional mechanisms for preventing corruption. Stronger transparency mechanisms could support more efficient use of public resources and contribute to a more predictable governance environment for citizens, businesses and investors.
Aliyu commended the management and staff of the ICPC for their contribution to the latest performance and urged them to treat the rating as an incentive to deepen transparency, accountability and professionalism in carrying out the commission's mandate. The challenge ahead will be sustaining progress while translating institutional reforms into stronger public accountability and more effective delivery of its anti-corruption mandate.
Key points
- The ICPC scored 80.13 per cent in the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index.
- The commission moved to second place among 518 federal institutions assessed nationwide.
- The ICPC's improvement reflects its continued efforts to strengthen internal transparency, accountability and institutional integrity mechanisms.
