By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has moved up to second position among Nigeria’s most transparent federal institutions after recording 80.13 per cent in the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII).
The latest assessment by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) ranked the Commission second out of 518 federal institutions assessed nationwide, with ICPC among only four institutions that attained the “Excellent” performance band of 70 per cent and above.
According to an official statement signed by the Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC, J. Okor Odey, the Commission’s latest score represents a two-percentage-point improvement over its 2025 rating of 78.13 per cent, when it placed third among 575 institutions assessed.
Reacting to the rating, the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, said the recognition was an encouragement for the Commission to deepen its ongoing 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,” Aliyu said.
He, however, said the achievement would not make the Commission complacent, stressing that greater attention would be devoted to areas requiring further improvement.
“This rating is an encouragement for us to do more. We will carefully examine our performance across all the thematic areas, identify where improvements are required and strengthen the necessary systems,” he said.
“Our objective is to perform even better in the 2027 assessment and continue to demonstrate the standards of transparency and integrity that we expect from other public institutions,” the ICPC chairman added.
The Chairman also commended the management and staff of the Commission for their contributions to the latest achievement, urging them to regard the rating as an incentive to further strengthen transparency, accountability and professionalism in the discharge of the Commission’s mandate.
The 2026 assessment comes against the backdrop of generally low transparency ratings across the federal public sector. According to the Index, only eight of the 518 institutions assessed scored above 50 per cent, while just four attained the “Excellent” benchmark of 70 per cent and above.
The Transparency and Integrity Index assesses public institutions across areas including disclosure of financial information, procurement and contracting, human resources, anti-corruption measures and citizen engagement.
It also examines the availability of budget and financial records, recruitment and staff information, anti-corruption and whistleblowing policies, as well as mechanisms through which citizens can access information and participate in public processes.
ICPC’s latest performance continues an upward trajectory in the annual assessment. In 2025, the Commission scored 78.13 per cent and ranked third behind the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).
With its improved 80.13 per cent score in 2026, ICPC moved into second position nationally, reinforcing its emphasis on internal transparency and institutional accountability.
The 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index was unveiled in Abuja on Monday, September 28, 2026, in the presence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi; as well as representatives of government institutions and civil society organisations.
Established by CeFTPI in 2021, the Transparency and Integrity Index is an annual evidence-based assessment of public institutions, focusing on proactive disclosure, accountability, citizens’ access to information and institutional mechanisms for preventing corruption.
