The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) has revealed concerning findings regarding the performance of Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in terms of ethics and anti-corruption compliance. The report, based on the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) for the past year, shows that none of the 330 assessed MDAs fully met the required standards.
According to ICPC, no MDA achieved complete compliance with ethical practices, policies, and anti-corruption measures. The findings have prompted the Commission to issue a stern warning that MDAs failing to meet compliance standards will face necessary enforcement actions.
The EICS is a preventive tool designed to assess and improve the adherence of MDAs to ethical practices and anti-corruption policies. The report revealed that only 29.55% of MDAs achieved substantial compliance, while 51.62% showed partial compliance. However, a significant portion, 15.91%, displayed poor compliance, and 2.92% were fully non-compliant.
Key gaps highlighted in the report included a lack of whistle-blower policies, strategic plans, and efficient stock verification units. Additionally, many MDAs failed to conduct system studies or submit required financial and audit reports.
ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, explained that while 323 MDAs responded to the assessment in 2024, 15 MDAs were marked as high corruption risks due to their non-responsiveness. Despite these challenges, Bakare noted that the initiative had positive effects, including increased awareness of anti-corruption measures, improved competition among MDAs to meet compliance criteria, and more reliable procurement processes and data.
The ICPC commended MDAs with substantial compliance and emphasized that it will continue using these tools to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability within government agencies. However, the Commission made it clear that MDAs failing to comply will face appropriate actions to ensure adherence to government regulations and prevent corruption.
