Center reveals best Nigerian Govt agency in transparency, integrity

The Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, CFTPI, has announced that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, ranked highest in the 2024 Transparency and Integrity Index.

This was disclosed at the unveiling of the Transparency and Integrity Index 2024 on Tuesday, in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, BPRS, in Abuja.

Dr Umar Yakubu, Executive Director CFTPI, explained that the principles used for the ranking followed global best practices and United Nations Conventions on Anti-Corruption.

The index ranked 514 selected Nigerian government institutions and showed that NOSDRA scored 77.92 percent.

In his remarks, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by Barr. Adekunle Olusegun, a retired Permanent Secretary, called on all agencies, departments, commissions and units of the Federal Government to enhance the anti-corruption agenda of the Nigerian Government.

“It is time to recognize this matrix as not just an abstract concept it reflects the trust citizens place in us as public servants. We are charged with the responsibility of serving our community and enhancing their well-being. Transparency is not merely a policy but it is a fundamental principle that underpins our democracy,” he said.

Earlier, the Director of BPRS, Dansuki Arabi emphasized the need for all government MDAs to be transparent in all their dealings to win the trust of citizens.

The Transparency and Integrity Index was launched in 2021 to score the performance of MDAs in areas such as fiscal transparency, open procurement, human resources, control of corruption and citizen engagement.