The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) Methodology Handbook in a bid to promote openness and accountability across the nation’s public sector. The event, held on Monday in Abuja, saw the participation of senior officials and representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) nationwide.
The TII, now in its fifth year, provides a standard framework to assess the performance of over 500 national and sub-national bodies. The evaluation covers five critical pillars of governance: Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement, Control of Corruption, Human Resources and Inclusion, and Citizen Engagement.
Developed jointly by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), the revised methodology aligns with both Nigerian laws and international standards, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
In his keynote address, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was represented by Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, emphasized the importance of the TII in advancing national development. He described transparency and integrity as pillars of public trust and urged MDAs to fully embrace the framework within their operations.
“Through the implementation of the TII, we can foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in public administration,” Akume said. He added that the index would help improve governance and ensure ethical service delivery across government institutions.
Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of CeFTPI, presented the updated methodology, highlighting the focus on proactive online disclosure of crucial information such as budgets, procurement activities, staff data, and anti-corruption policies. He explained that each of the five pillars holds equal weight in the scoring system, which measures accessibility, completeness, and compliance with legal requirements.
“The index is designed to encourage self-assessment and reform rather than embarrass institutions,” Yakubu said. “It serves as a preventive tool against corruption, motivating MDAs to be more transparent and open in their operations.”
The 2025 TII evaluation process is currently underway, with the final results expected to be published on September 28, which is the International Day for Universal Access to Information. Yakubu urged all MDAs to align with the new methodology to build public confidence and enhance service delivery.
Dr. Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of BPSR, praised CeFTPI for its efforts in developing the index. He noted that the TII supports Nigeria’s broader reform agenda and aligns with Executive Order 001 on public service transparency.
“There is growing compliance with the TII framework, and the updated methodology addresses new governance challenges while promoting continuous improvement,” Arabi said. He also linked the index to the Tinubu administration’s economic reform plans, stressing its role in promoting accountability and reducing corruption.
The TII provides Nigerian citizens with a clear picture of how public institutions manage resources, engage with the public, and uphold integrity. It aims to strengthen democratic governance by making government operations more transparent and accountable.
As the country continues its fight against corruption and poor governance, tools like the Transparency and Integrity Index are vital to ensuring that public offices serve the people effectively and ethically. The 2025 edition promises to deepen this commitment and encourage all MDAs to uphold the highest standards of openness and integrity.
