Not less than 226 federal ministries, departments or agencies (MDAs) failed to meet ethical standards in 2024. This was revealed in the 2024 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard published by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in January.
Out of 323 federal MDAs assessed, fewer than 30 per cent met basic standards of transparency, ethics and financial accountability. Only 97 MDAs, representing 29.55 per cent, achieved a rating of “substantial compliance”. Meanwhile, over half — 51.62 per cent — barely managed partial compliance.
Another 49 MDAs (15.91 per cent) performed abysmally, and 9 MDAs (2.92 per cent) were classified as outright non-compliant. To worsen matters, 15 agencies, representing 4.64 per cent, ignored the ICPC’s inquiries entirely and were considered high risk for corruption.
The MDAs scored an average of 17.16 per cent across key performance indicators (KPIs), slightly above the minimum threshold of 15 per cent.
Despite this, nearly a quarter — 24.4 per cent — failed to cross even this low bar. The scorecard evaluated MDAs across three core areas: management culture and structure, financial management systems and administrative systems.
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POOR ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE
Management culture and structure recorded a modest average score of 15 per cent out of a possible 30 per cent, but this was mainly due to limited progress in automation.
Over 31.8 per cent of MDAs lacked codes of ethics for board members. Another 35.06 per cent did not conduct periodic board performance reviews.
Additionally, 49.35 per cent of MDAs failed to monitor or evaluate their programmes, and 74.35 per cent had no strategic plans to guide decision-making or resource allocation. Without these structures, agencies struggled to maintain accountability.
FINANCIAL (MIS)MANAGEMENT
Financial management systems scored slightly better, with an average compliance rate of 28.6 per cent out of 40 per cent. The report found that over 34 per cent of MDAs failed to submit mandatory financial reports to the Office of the Accountant General.
This refusal is a violation of the Public Finance Management Act of 2024. A section of the act mandates “public institutions, which derive funding from the annual budget or other public funds, torender monthly reports in a format prescribed by the Accountant General”.
More importantly, about 28 per cent of the MDAs disregarded revenue regulations, while 26 per cent failed to comply with remittance rules under the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Some 19.16 per cent allowed staff to access fresh advances without retiring prior ones, reflecting lax controls over public funds.
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MISSING WHISTLES
MDAs scored lowest for administrative systems, recording an abysmal 13.14 per cent compliance rate out of 30 per cent.
Over 60 per cent of the MDAs lacked basic operational structures such as whistleblowing mechanisms.
The report revealed that 82.14 per cent of the MDAs did not empower their Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) to conduct corruption risk assessments.
Another 87.34 per cent ignored recommendations from these assessments. Without these mechanisms, federal agencies leave whistleblowers vulnerable and fail to mitigate corruption risks.
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PROCUREMENT CORRUPTION
Compliance with the Public Procurement Act of 2007 was alarmingly low. Over 26 per cent of MDAs failed to conduct annual needs assessments, and 40 per cent neglected market surveys before procurement. This means that the agencies drafted budgets throughout 2024 without consideration for prudence or transparency.
The ICPC reported that many of the agencies did not have procurement plans, documents which should align spending with the approved budgets for all the agencies, according to procurement laws. About 28 per cent did not involve even stakeholders in procurement processes.
A sizeable 41.56 per cent of procurement officers in these MDAs lacked formal training, according to the report. These failings expose MDAs to waste, inefficiency and potential corruption.
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INEFFECTIVE ANTI-CORRUPTION UNITS
Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), established to monitor and enforce ethical practices in federal MDAs, were largely ineffective in 2024.
Fewer than 9 per cent of ACTUs were functional. Many units had no budgets and failed to conduct risk assessments or recommend reforms.
Furthermore, 28.25 per cent of MDAs lacked systems for reporting corruption, leaving employees with no safe channels to expose unethical behaviour.
BIG AGENCIES THAT PERFORMED WOEFULLY
Among the 323 federal MDAs assessed, 15 agencies scored zero across all metrics. These institutions include big names like the Supreme Court and the Federal Civil Service Commission.
Prominent educational and health institutions like Obafemi Awolowo University and the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre in Bauchi were also flagged.
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By law, the responsibilities of these agencies inherently demand ethical and operational excellence. For instance, the Supreme Court of Nigeria is tasked with upholding the law and ensuring justice.
These functions should be grounded in integrity and transparency.
Similarly, the Federal Civil Service Commission oversees recruitment and administration in the civil service. By implication, its ethical compliance is vital to maintaining public trust in governance.
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