FIRS, NNPC, NPA and 508 MDAs Fails Transparency Test – Report

A Troubling Assessment of Nigerian Government Agencies

A recent report titled the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index has revealed a concerning state of affairs for Nigeria’s government agencies. According to the findings, only six out of 517 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) met the minimum benchmark, leaving a staggering 511 agencies in what is termed the “red zone.” This alarming result was unveiled in Abuja by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), highlighting a deep-rooted issue of accountability across various sectors.

The report, conducted in partnership with government oversight bodies, emphasized the critical gaps in disclosure, ethics, and service delivery among these agencies. Dr. Umar Yakubu, the Executive Director of CeFTPI, stated that the figures speak volumes about the lack of transparency expected from institutions responsible for managing significant public resources.

Top Performers and Those on the Edge

NOSDRA, NIPC, and ICPC emerged as the top performers, securing high scores of 78.84%, 78.21%, and 78.13% respectively. However, three institutions—Development Bank of Nigeria, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and Bank of Industry—were in the “yellow zone” with borderline scores. The remaining 511 MDAs fell into the red category, indicating they failed the integrity test.

Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), pointed out that the poor performance was not solely due to corruption but also weak compliance. He stressed the need to close these gaps and make transparency the norm.

Agencies in the Red Zone

The report highlighted that even key economic agencies performed poorly. These include the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. Analysts warned that such failures could erode public trust in the economy.

Other agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) also failed to inspire confidence, as did the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Despite being a primary revenue source, transparency remains an issue in the oil and power sectors.

Key Sectors Affected

Several agencies within the oil and power sectors scored below expectations. These include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Similarly, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) also failed the transparency test.

In the aviation sector, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) performed below standards. On land, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) fared badly, raising concerns about transparency in major infrastructure projects.

Security and Defense Agencies

Despite their critical role, defense and security agencies recorded dismal performances. The Federal Ministry of Defence, Nigeria Police Force, and military branches all scored poorly. The Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) also failed to meet transparency standards.

Yakubu noted that the results were particularly worrying given ongoing security challenges. Arabi emphasized that defense and security institutions cannot operate like “black boxes,” stating that Nigerians deserve to know how their resources are being deployed.

Anti-Corruption and Judicial Institutions

Even agencies created to check corruption and abuse of office performed poorly. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and Public Complaints Commission (PCC) were listed among those that failed the test. Arabi highlighted that this contradiction was a wake-up call, as it undermines the fight against corruption.

The Federal Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Court of Appeal, National Judicial Council (NJC), and Federal Judicial Service Commission also recorded poor results. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and National Assembly Service Commission were not left out.

Health and Education Sectors

The health sector saw several agencies in the red zone. The Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) all ranked poorly. Agencies like NAFDAC, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and several Federal Medical Centres and Teaching Hospitals also failed to pass the test. Health watchers warned that this could undermine service delivery.

In the education sector, the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) all ranked poorly. Major examination bodies such as JAMB, WAEC (Nigeria), and NECO also scored low. Yakubu noted that lack of openness in the education sector was hurting young Nigerians.

Agriculture and Food Security

Agencies critical to Nigeria’s food security were also implicated. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) all failed the test. Others included the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Bank of Agriculture, and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Observers said the result was worrying given rising hunger.

Technology and Media

In the technology and media sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Galaxy Backbone all failed. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also performed poorly.

Pensions and Welfare

Agencies entrusted with pensions and welfare also fared badly. The National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) were all in the red zone. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and Family Homes Fund Ltd also recorded weak compliance.

A Call for Reform

Despite the poor numbers, CeFTPI emphasized that the index was not meant to shame institutions but to guide reforms. Yakubu stressed that transparency is a necessity for national development. Arabi added that reforms would be pushed harder, stating that Nigerians deserve no less.

The 2025 Index is expected to form part of broader governance reforms, but for many citizens, the revelations confirm what they already know—that too many of the country’s most important agencies operate in secrecy, while service delivery suffers.