The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) has issued a stern warning to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across Nigeria after 330 of them failed to meet the country’s financial, governance, and anti-corruption standards. The shocking findings were revealed in the latest Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS), which assessed these agencies for their adherence to government directives.
“The results are unacceptable,” said Demola Bakare, spokesperson for the ICPC, during the report’s unveiling on December 19, 2024. “The time for complacency is over. Non-compliant MDAs will face necessary actions, including enforcement, to ensure they meet ethical standards set by the government.”
The report, which covered a wide array of government institutions, paints a bleak picture of Nigeria’s civil service. Despite extensive monitoring and assessment, not a single MDA out of the 330 assessed agencies achieved full compliance with the nation’s anti-corruption and governance standards.
A Wake-Up Call for Nigeria’s Bureaucracy
The EICS was designed as a preventative measure, offering a detailed examination of how well MDAs are adhering to ethical and governance guidelines. The tool also seeks to foster a culture of self-evaluation and corrective action within the agencies. According to Bakare, it is intended to help identify organizational gaps, improve compliance, and provide the government with actionable insights to enhance oversight policies.
The report revealed a significant failure across key areas. The MDAs were assessed on indicators such as management structure, financial management systems, administrative processes, and the effectiveness of internal ethics mechanisms, including whistle-blowing channels.
In the end, the results were damning. Of the 330 MDAs examined, only 29.55% achieved substantial compliance. A slightly higher 51.62% attained partial compliance, meaning they met some but not all criteria. Alarmingly, 15.91% showed poor compliance, while 2.92% were found to be non-compliant.
These numbers suggest that over half of the agencies are either underperforming or neglecting essential governance and transparency measures.
Governance Gaps Threaten Public Trust
Common deficiencies identified in the report include a lack of effective whistle-blower policies, inadequate strategic planning, and weak financial verification systems. Many MDAs, according to the findings, failed to submit necessary financial and audit reports, an essential aspect of accountability in public service.
Bakare stressed that these gaps could have severe consequences for governance, adding, “The lack of transparency and failure to implement effective systems can undermine public trust in the government’s ability to manage resources.”
The report also highlighted that a concerning 15 MDAs were unresponsive to the ICPC’s requests, categorising them as high corruption risks. Bakare made it clear that these agencies would be scrutinised closely, with stricter measures to ensure compliance.
Mixed Reactions to the Report
Some government officials have welcomed the ICPC’s tough stance, seeing it as an opportunity to enforce long-overdue reforms. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a prominent opposition figure, said, “This report is a stark reminder that the government must take urgent steps to address the systemic issues in the civil service. We cannot afford to let corruption continue to drain our resources.”
However, others have questioned the ICPC’s capacity to bring about real change. A senior government official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted, “While the report is useful, the true test will be how the ICPC acts on its findings. We’ve seen numerous reports like this before, but little in the way of concrete action.”
ICPC’s Plan for Enforcement
Despite these mixed reactions, ICPC is committed to holding MDAs accountable. The commission has vowed to employ stronger enforcement measures against non-compliant agencies, including legal action where necessary.
Bakare promised that the ICPC would continue using tools like the EICS to foster accountability and integrity in public service. He also acknowledged the positive impact the tool has had in raising awareness about anti-corruption measures, improving procurement processes, and enhancing data reliability within MDAs.
“We are not backing down,” Bakare stated. “ICPC’s role is to ensure that all MDAs work to the highest ethical standards, and we will continue to push for a more accountable government.”
