By Stellamaries Amuwa
Nigeria has retained its low score on the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), scoring 26 out of 100 for the second consecutive year, according to Transparency International (TI) and its Nigerian chapter, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
The latest index shows that Nigeria dropped two places on the global ranking, moving from 140th position in 2024 to 142nd out of 180 countries assessed in 2025, reflecting continued public perception of widespread corruption and limited progress in governance reforms.
The CPI, which measures perceived levels of public sector corruption using data from independent and reputable institutions, does not assess individual corruption cases but reflects broader national trends. Transparency International describes the index as the most widely recognised global benchmark for measuring corruption across countries.
In a statement accompanying the release and signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC noted that while Nigeria’s score indicates stagnation in the fight against corruption, it does not amount to an evaluation of the performance of anti-corruption agencies, many of which continue to demonstrate commitment despite systemic challenges.
CISLAC identified several positive trends that contributed to Nigeria’s marginal stability on the index. Among them is progress in asset recovery efforts.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly recovered over ₦566 billion, $411 million and 1,502 properties between October 2023 and September 2025, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered ₦37.44 billion and $2.353 million in 2025.
International cooperation on asset recovery was also highlighted, including the agreement by the UK Crown Dependency of Jersey in January 2026 to repatriate over $9.5 million in assets linked to corruption for use in critical infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 was also cited as a significant milestone. The delisting followed the successful implementation of a 19-point action plan aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks. CISLAC further acknowledged the role of civil society organisations and the media in exposing corruption and promoting accountability, describing them as essential pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.
