Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called on ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to integrate the findings of the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) into their operations. This, he said, is to strengthen accountability and public trust in line with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to open, accountable, and responsible governance. The SGF made this call while delivering the keynote address at the presentation of the 2026 TII in Abuja.
Senator Akume emphasized that public institutions must ensure their policies, programs, and actions are transparent, visible, and understandable to Nigerians. He noted that the 2026 TII has become a vital instrument for assessing accountability, openness, and ethical standards across government institutions. The Index provides MDAs with clear benchmarks to identify areas of strength and gaps requiring improvement. This, he said, will enable them to take corrective measures to improve their operations.
The SGF urged heads of MDAs to use the Index findings to inform management decisions, budget priorities, procurement processes, staff training, and digital disclosure. He stressed that transparency should be viewed as an institutional asset, not an administrative burden. According to him, integrity must be embedded in the procedures and culture of public institutions through clear policies, proper record-keeping, effective oversight, ethical leadership, and consequences for wrongdoing.
Senator Akume tasked MDAs to leverage technology to provide accurate, timely, and user-friendly information on their websites and data portals. This, he said, will enable citizens to engage with government and track the utilization of public resources effectively. The SGF explained that the 2026 TII assesses public institutions in five critical areas: fiscal transparency, open procurement and contracting, human resources and inclusion, control of corruption, and citizens' engagement.
The SGF noted that the ultimate objective of transparency and integrity should go beyond institutional rankings to building public institutions that Nigerians can understand, engage with, and hold accountable. He emphasized that this will safeguard public resources and improve service delivery. Senator Akume commended the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) for sustaining the initiative.
Senator Akume called for stronger collaboration among government, civil society, professional bodies, development partners, and the media to strengthen transparency and combat corruption. He assured that the Federal Government remains committed to building institutions that are transparent, accountable, professional, and responsive to the needs of the people. The SGF said this will be achieved through the implementation of the 2026 TII findings.
The 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index complements existing public service reforms, anti-corruption measures, and Nigeria's Open Government Partnership commitments. The initiative aims to promote transparency and accountability in public institutions, which is essential for good governance and sustainable development. Key initiatives like this will help to ensure that public resources are utilized efficiently and effectively for the benefit of Nigerians.
Key points
- The SGF emphasized the importance of integrating the 2026 TII findings into strategic planning and operations to strengthen accountability and public trust.
- The 2026 TII assesses public institutions in five critical areas: fiscal transparency, open procurement and contracting, human resources and inclusion, control of corruption, and citizens' engagement.
- The initiative aims to promote transparency and accountability in public institutions, which is essential for good governance and sustainable development.
