The Digest:
Nigeria has been ranked the 142nd least corrupt country out of 182 nations, making it the 36th most corrupt globally, according to Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index. The country dropped two places from its 2024 ranking but maintained its position as the 36th most corrupt. Nigeria scored 26 points, sharing the rank with countries like Cameroon and Guinea. The index shows the global average falling to a new low of 42, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. In Africa, Seychelles, Cabo Verde, and Botswana were the least corrupt.
Key Points:
- Citizens continue to bear the socio-economic costs of corruption, including underfunded public services and limited opportunities.
- Pervasive corruption deters foreign investment, stifles economic growth, and perpetuates inequality.
- Nigeria's stagnant position reflects a systemic failure to implement effective anti-corruption reforms, while countries like Denmark lead in transparency.
- The ranking underscores a persistent and deep-rooted governance challenge that transcends changes in administration.
- The report's release coincides with ongoing national debates about governance and accountability, reinforcing public frustration.
The stagnant ranking is a stark indicator that systemic corruption remains a fundamental barrier to Nigeria's development and global standing.
Sources: Leadership Newspapers
