ICPC ranks REA best in integrity compliance, ethics in power sector

According to the scorecard, "In a significant affirmation of strategic, institutional reform and internal governance, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has secured the No. 1 position within Nigeria’s power sector, as ranked by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in the recent Ethics and Integrity Compliance Ranking and Performance Outlook released by the Commission at the close of the year 2025. This milestone reflects the Agency’s adherence to ethical standards, openness, and transparency, as well as the strength of its governance structures, operational processes, and compliance culture in the last 2 years."

Further reinforcing this achievement, the REA has also been ranked among the top 15 MDAs under the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) Effectiveness Index (AEI), a key performance indicator assessing the efficiency of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units across public institutions.

Nationally, the REA currently stands at 20th position, signaling a strong upward trajectory in institutional accountability and transparency.

 The current ranking holds an even more significant relevance for the Agency and the nation at large when compared to the last ICPC ranking circle, released by the Commission in the year 2020, which ranked the REA 157 out of 220, and placing the Agency at 31.4% in overall performance, while the Agency’s current overall performance ranking is 71.98%, over 50 percent improvement.

The ICPC rankings are not just numbers. For the REA, the recognition marks a defining moment in the Agency’s transformation journey, driven by a systemic shift in institutional governance and internal administration, led by the Agency’s MD/CEO, Abba Abubakar Aliyu. Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu two years ago, Aliyu has championed a culture anchored on compliance, transparency, and performance-driven governance, consistently emphasizing that every staff member must align with established ethical frameworks and institutional standards.

This progress underscores the Agency’s commitment to embedding integrity into its operational DNA, ensuring that governance is not merely procedural but deeply institutionalized. The ICPC’s Ethics and Integrity Compliance Ranking evaluates MDAs across several critical parameters, including management culture and structure, financial management systems, administrative processes, and transparency mechanisms.

The REA’s strong performance across these indicators reflects a coordinated effort to strengthen internal controls, improve reporting systems, and foster accountability at all levels of operation.

Similarly, the Agency’s high placement in the AEI ranking highlights the growing effectiveness of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), which plays a pivotal role in promoting ethical conduct, monitoring compliance, and preventing institutional vulnerabilities.

Read Also: ICPC arraigns El-Rufai in Kaduna court amid tight security, bail hearing fixed for March 31

 Through enhanced oversight and continuous sensitization of staff, the ACTU has become a cornerstone of the REA’s governance architecture. As the implementing agency of the nation’s renewable energy and rural electrification interventions, the REA’s credibility and institutional integrity are critical to building and sustaining trust with the local and international community, including development partners, investors, and energy access beneficiaries nationwide.

While the Agency’s commendable ranking is noteworthy, its leadership remains forward-looking, setting a target to break into the top 10 MDAs nationally in the next assessment cycle. This goal reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and an understanding that institutional excellence is an ongoing process, not a one-time achievement.

The remarkable recognition by the ICPC not only validates the ongoing reforms within the Rural Electrification Agency but also reinforces the Agency’s determination to sustain a culture of accountability, transparency, and excellence in public service. 

The REA remains firmly committed to strengthening its governance systems, deepening institutional integrity, and delivering impactful energy access interventions that improve the lives of Nigerians.

Already, REA has vowed that as it continues on this upward trajectory, it will build on this achievement as a foundation for even greater performance, ensuring that trust, professionalism, and ethical leadership remain at the core of its mandate.