Anti-corruption: CISLAC advocates stronger reforms as Nigeria retains low perception index
The Civil Society Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for more and stronger coordinated anti-corruption reforms following the low ranking of Nigeria in the 2025 Corruption Perception Index released Tuesday. The
The Civil Society Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for more and stronger coordinated anti-corruption reforms following the low ranking of Nigeria in the 2025 Corruption Perception Index released Tuesday.
The country scored 26 per cent in the survey conducted by Transparency International (TI) dropping places on the global ranking from 140 in 2024 to 142 out of 180 countries.
Releasing the index in Abuja on Tuesday, CISLAC noted that it showed stagnation in Nigeria’s fight against corruption despite ongoing efforts by anti-graft agencies.
On the positive side, the report highlighted improvements in asset recovery, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovering over ₦566 billion, $411 million and 1,502 properties between October 2023 and September 2025.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) also recovered ₦37.44 billion and $2.35 million in 2025. Internationally, Nigeria secured the repatriation of over $9.5 million from the UK’s Jersey authorities in January 2026.
Read Also: JUST IN: Nigerian literary scholar, Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, dies at 80
Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 was also cited as a major gain, following the implementation of a 19-point action plan to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.
However, the report identified serious weaknesses undermining progress. These include allegations of corruption and nepotism in the judiciary, persistent bribery scandals in the National Assembly, large-scale oil theft and subsidy fraud, and financial mismanagement in the power sector, where ₦128 billion was allegedly misappropriated.
CISLAC also raised concerns over shrinking civic space, citing 86 attacks on journalists and media organisations in 2025, corruption in the security sector, procurement fraud, opaque budgeting processes, and the insertion of ₦6.93 trillion worth of questionable projects into the 2025 budget.
CISLAC called for stronger independence for anti-corruption agencies, transparent judicial appointments, accountability in the oil and security sectors, full compliance with freedom of information laws, and urgent passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill to restore public confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
