In a revealing report by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) emerged as the top performers in the 2024 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS). These agencies scored impressively, achieving ratings of 89.75%, 89.33%, and 88.73%, respectively.
On the other hand, several high-profile institutions, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), among others, were marked as underperformers, receiving zero points in the evaluation. This has sparked concerns over the state of ethical practices and governance within these public institutions.
The ICPC’s comprehensive evaluation, which covered 330 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), sought to measure the level of ethical standards, anti-corruption efforts, and governance practices across the country. The assessment focused on key areas such as management practices, financial auditing, ethics education, and the effectiveness of whistle-blower mechanisms.
Dr. Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the ICPC, stated that the commission’s goal was to enhance transparency, accountability, and integrity within government institutions, thus contributing to the broader fight against corruption. He emphasized that, despite the good performance of some agencies, there was still a long way to go in improving ethical practices across the board.
“We are determined to recognize and reward agencies that show substantial compliance with ethical standards, but we will also hold those who are non-compliant accountable,” said Dr. Aliyu. “These efforts will continue to underline ICPC’s dedication to ensuring good governance and preventing corruption.”
Top Performers Shine
JAMB, NRC, and NBET stood out in the report for their remarkable commitment to ethics and governance. JAMB, the body responsible for overseeing university admissions in Nigeria, achieved an impressive 89.75% score, setting a benchmark for other agencies. NRC, which oversees the country’s railway system, followed closely with 89.33%, while NBET, tasked with managing the trading of electricity in Nigeria, secured a score of 88.73%.
The success of these agencies reflects their commitment to internal governance, transparency, and compliance with anti-corruption measures. These institutions have reportedly implemented strong policies, effective whistle-blower mechanisms, and sound financial practices that have earned them top rankings in the ICPC report.
Struggling Institutions
However, the report also highlighted several institutions that have failed to meet the basic standards of integrity and governance. Among them are the Supreme Court of Nigeria, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and the Federal University of Agriculture Umudike. These institutions scored zero points, raising serious questions about the ethical practices and internal processes at the heart of the country’s judiciary, religious travel services, and academic governance.
The Federal Polytechnic Ede (FPE), University of Ibadan (UI), and Federal College of Forestry Mechanization (FFM) in Kaduna State also ranked poorly in the report. These institutions, along with others, were criticized for their lack of compliance with ethical standards and for not meeting the ICPC’s requirements.
In particular, the Supreme Court’s poor performance has sparked debate, considering its role as the highest judicial body in Nigeria. Observers have expressed concerns about the potential negative implications of such low ethical standards within the judiciary.
