On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Transparency International (TI) ranked Nigeria in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) as 142nd out of 182 countries, scoring 26 out of a maximum 100 points.
According to the report Nigeria drops two places to 142nd in 2025 corruption ranking, trails 33 African countries.
Nigeria ranked 142nd out of 182 countries in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), scoring 26 out of 100, according to Transparency International’s latest assessment of public sector corruption.
The new position is down two places from the nation’s 140th spot on the 2025 CPI ranking.
The breakdown of the ranking showed that Nigeria is trailing behind 33 other African countries. The current ranking shows that the country is struggling persistently with challenges of corruption.
With this ranking, Nigeria’s score remains well below the global average of 43.
According to the CPI, to countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Transparency International reported that the global average dropped to 42, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50.
In any case, the report showed that Nigeria retained its score from 2024 but fell from 140th to 142nd place, reflecting stagnation in anti-corruption efforts.
However, in Africa, Seychelles topped the ranking with 68 points, followed by Cabo Verde with 62, Botswana 58, and Rwanda 58.
Other countries ahead of Nigeria include Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, and Egypt.
Nigeria shares its 142nd position with Cameroon, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, Guatemala, and Papua New Guinea.
Transparency International’s warning on corruption
Giving the report, Transparency International warned that corruption remains a serious global threat.
According to the world body, this is fuelled by declining political will, weakening democratic institutions, and lack of decisive leadership.
In her words while giving the report, Maira Martini, Chief Executive Officer of Transparency International said, “We’re seeing a concerning picture of long-term decline in leadership to tackle corruption.
“At a time of climate crisis, instability, and polarisation, the world needs accountable leaders and independent institutions to protect the public interest—yet, too often, they are falling short.”
According to the organisation 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened since 2012, while only 32 countries have significantly reduced corruption.
On the negative effects of corruption in a country, TI stated that corruption diverts resources from essential services, undermines climate action, and erodes human rights worldwide.
Nigeria’s corruption cases
WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that Nigeria’s CPI scores have over the years fluctuated.
However, it had remained consistently low for sometime now. A quick look at the previous years showed that in 2019, the country ranked 146th with 26 points. It dropped to 154th with 24 points in 2021, improved slightly to 145th with 25 points in 2023, and rose to 140th with 26 points in 2024.
It also showed that over the years from 1996 to 2023, Nigeria’s CPI average score stood at 21.48, reaching an all-time high of 28 points in 2016 and a record low of 6.9 points in 1996.
The country remains below the sub-Saharan African average of 33, reflecting entrenched governance challenges, selective enforcement, and institutional weaknesses.
High-profile corruption cases
Corruption scandals involving top officials continue to dominate public discourse.
The case of former Attorney General and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami is still very much ongoing.
As of February 2026, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, is in detention amid serious allegations, including money laundering and ₦212.8 billion in assets forfeiture cases.
After being initially detained by the EFCC on December 8, 2025, and later rearrested by the DSS, he has faced multiple court proceedings, with judges recently withdrawing from his cases.
Also, Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, faces charges for misappropriating over N110 billion in public funds.
He was arraigned in two Abuja courts in November 2024, pleaded not guilty, and was remanded at the EFCC facility before being granted bail.
Former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa was suspended in 2023 over corruption allegations, raising questions about accountability within anti-graft agencies.
Again, investigations into the misuse of COVID-19 relief funds, electoral fraud, and fuel subsidy scams continue, while former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele was still very much on the course.
Civil society organisations, including CISLAC, continue to push for strict enforcement of the Proceeds of Crime Act and reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework
Effects of TI ranking on Nigeria
There is no gainsaying the fact that there are so much negative effects of Transparency International ranking of Nigeria with regards to corruption index.
WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that these effects are so much damaging as much as they have international connotations.
Foreign Investment: The poor ranking of any country is a sign danger line.
It signals a high-risk, unstable economic environment. The effect of this is that it has effect of causing investors to avoid the country, which limits economic growth and reduces the inflow of foreign direct investment.
Image/reputational damage: Since the country has continued to record poor performance in the ranking, Nigeria is frequently highlighted as one of the most corrupt nations, causing reputational damage. To this effect, it affects diplomatic relations, international trade, and the willingness of international partners to engage in businesses with the country.
High cost of business transaction: A country like Nigeria with high corruption index, the perception of rampant corruption acts as a “hidden tax,” increasing the cost of transactions and compliance for businesses, as highlighted by many corruption rating experts.
Low moral in governance: With the persistent low scores in corruption index rating, this has eroded the confidence of the citizenry on the governance. It reduces public trust in the ability of the government, including key agencies like the EFCC and ICPC, to effectively combat corruption, reinforcing a cycle of cynicism.
Financial assistance: Countries with low rating in corruption index will definitely attract the wrath of international bodies especially in terms of finance.
To this effect, the international financial institutions may impose stricter conditions, higher interest rates, or restrictions on loans due to the high risk associated with corruption in the country, as opined by some experts.
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