Nigeria Ranks 36th Most Corrupt Country in Latest Global Corruption Index

In the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Nigeria is ranked as the 36th most corrupt nation out of 180 countries, highlighting ongoing challenges in combating public sector corruption.

According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released on Tuesday, Nigeria is ranked as the 36th most corrupt nation worldwide. It shares this ranking with Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq, and Cameroon—each receiving a score of 26 points.

The index, which is compiled each year by Transparency International—a global coalition dedicated to combating corruption—reveals that Nigeria received a score of 26 in the corruption assessment, falling 17 points short of the worldwide average.

The report also indicated that Nigeria’s improvement since 2023 has been just one point.

According to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International, South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela were identified as the world’s most corrupt countries.

The list indicated that Denmark was the world’s least corrupt country, scoring 90 points. Finland followed in second place with 88 points, while Singapore ranked third with a score of 84 points.

No African nation was among the top 10 cleanest countries, as all those positions were occupied by European nations. However, Cape Verde stood out as the least corrupt African country, securing 35th place with a score of 62 points.

Francois Valeria, the chair of Transparency International, stated that “The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) indicates that corruption remains a significant issue globally. However, positive changes are occurring in numerous countries,” based on the selection criteria and outcomes.

The CPI assesses the perceived level of corruption in each country’s public sector, based on insights from experts and business professionals.

The index evaluates countries on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating extreme corruption and 100 reflecting a completely uncorrupted public sector.

According to the index, over two-thirds of countries have a score below 50 on this year’s CPI, with an average score being only 43.

Since 2012, 32 countries have significantly reduced their corruption levels. However, there is still a substantial amount of work to be done, as during the same period, 148 countries have either remained stagnant or experienced worsening conditions.

Nigeria’s ranking is determined by evaluating factors such as bribery, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of power for personal benefit without repercussions, and the government’s ability to combat corruption. Additionally, it takes into account nepotistic appointments in the civil service, state capture by vested interests, and access to public information.

According to historical CPI data, Nigeria was ranked 146th with a score of 26 in 2019. In subsequent years, the rankings and scores were as follows: 149th (25) in 2020, 154th (24) in 2021, climbing slightly to rank at both positions of either tying or scoring tied but better counts place them later on internationally lists , reaching placement marks oftentimes beside others holding similar CPI calculations for given time blocks such that end-being-listed-or-not varies dependent largely by political-economic fluctuation overall trends which remained evident throughout any observed length comparing particular nations during wherein times ultimately affected outcomes undergone consequently themselves amid those evaluations just like everywhere else without circumstance alteration nonetheless present notably herein – these firmly outweigh ranking classifications towards differing yet consistent reportage intending accuracy fair reflects progress ongoing ensuring collective understanding corresponding contextual nuance thereby affording comprehensive assessment despite seemingly negative readings externally indicated erstwhile current societal lay shifting narratively previously resolved anyhow thus far proven extremely versatile adept alone reason substantial permutation address similarly opaque conditions slated further uphold objectivity necessary keep analysis wt/summation adequate proceeding apropos proactively concerning reports’ validity general adaptation capability emerge positively engages attention audience engaged respectively.

The index indicated that Nigeria has persistently struggled to maintain a clean record regarding corruption over the past five years.

Meanwhile, Nigeria ranks behind African countries such as Rwanda, Ghana, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and The Gambia in the Corruption Perceptions Index.

In Africa, Nigeria ranks higher only than Uganda, Mozambique, the conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and South Sudan.

Score Country Rank

90Denmark1
88Finland2
84Singapore3
83New Zealand4
81Luxembourg5
81Norway5
81Switzerland5
80Sweden8
78Netherlands9
77Australia10
77Iceland10
77Ireland10
76Estonia13
76Uruguay13
75Canada15
75Germany15
74Hong Kong17
72Bhutan18
72Seychelles18
71Japan20
71United Kingdom20
69Belgium22
68Barbados23
68United Arab Emirates23
67Austria25
67France25
67Taiwan25
65Bahamas28
65United States of America28
64Israel30
64South Korea30
63Chile32
63Lithuania32
63Saint Vincent and the Grenadines32
62Cabo Verde35
25Kyrgyzstan146
25Mozambique146
24Central African Republic149
24Paraguay149
23Bangladesh151
23Congo151
23Iran151
22Azerbaijan154
22Honduras154
22Lebanon154
22Russia154
21Cambodia158
21Chad158
21Comoros158
21Guinea-Bissau158
21Zimbabwe158
20Democratic Republic of the Congo163
19Tajikistan164
17Afghanistan165
17Burundi165
17Turkmenistan165
16Haiti168
16Myanmar168
15North Korea170
15Sudan170
14Nicaragua172
13Equatorial Guinea173
13Eritrea173
13Libya173
13Yemen173
12Syria177
10Venezuela178
9Somalia179
8South Sudan180