The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed that no Federal Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) attained full compliance with ethics and integrity standards in its 2025 assessment.
The findings were presented on Tuesday in Abuja by the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, who was represented by the Director of the System Study and Review Department, Mr. Olusegun Adigun.
Aliyu said the ICPC’s Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) assessed 357 MDAs, out of which 344 were effectively evaluated.
He noted that the remaining 13 MDAs—representing 3.64 per cent—were either non-responsive or could not be assessed and were consequently classified as high-risk.
According to him, the 2025 exercise marks the seventh annual assessment of federal MDAs, offering a consistent framework for measuring ethics, integrity, and institutional compliance.
Aliyu stressed that broad ethical principles were no longer sufficient in the face of increasing risks and vulnerabilities confronting public institutions, adding that the EICS was developed as a strategic tool to promote accountability and strengthen governance systems within the public sector.
The assessment results showed that no MDA achieved full compliance. Only 13.95 per cent recorded substantial compliance, 38.37 per cent demonstrated partial compliance, while 40.99 per cent were rated as poorly compliant.
He disclosed that several MDAs lacked fundamental governance frameworks, including clearly defined core values, mission and vision statements. Others failed to domesticate policies on gift acceptance, donations, and hospitality.
The report further revealed that 102 MDAs had no strategic plans, while 154 lacked effective monitoring and evaluation systems.
Aliyu explained that the ACTU Effectiveness Index (AEI), which complements the EICS, evaluated the performance of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) as internal control mechanisms.
The AEI results showed that 12.31 per cent of ACTUs were rated “Very Effective,” 30.97 per cent “Effective,” 52.99 per cent “Ineffective,” and 3.73 per cent “Dormant.”
He said the findings underscored the fact that many MDAs still lack the basic systems, structures, and institutional capacity required to prevent corruption.
The ICPC chairman attributed persistent weaknesses to fragile administrative systems, ineffective whistleblowing frameworks, inadequate training, and poorly performing ACTUs, all of which continue to undermine transparency and efficiency in the public sector.
While reaffirming the commission’s commitment to strengthening ethical conduct and accountability, Aliyu said the ICPC would take necessary corrective and enforcement measures to address identified deficiencies and anomalies across MDAs.
He noted that although the 2025 EICS and AEI results indicated some progress in financial management, significant gaps remained in administrative and ethical systems.
Aliyu urged MDAs to urgently strengthen their internal structures and control mechanisms to curb corruption, stressing that the commission’s interventions are geared towards promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable national development.
“The Commission will continue to deploy corrective and enforcement measures while engaging MDAs to improve transparency and accountability,” he said, adding that ICPC’s initiatives are designed to entrench a culture of ethics and integrity within Nigerian public institutions.
