The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and 13 other agencies have fallen short of the stringent requirements outlined in the 2024 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).
This revelation underscores a significant lapse by numerous key institutions in adhering to the ethical standards and guidelines mandated by the ICPC for the current year.
Dr Musa Aliyu, the Chairman of the ICPC, announced this alarming finding while presenting the agency’s EICS on Thursday in Abuja, a presentation that was made on his behalf by Demola Bakare, the ICPC Director of Public Enlightenment and Education.
Aliyu reported that a total of 330 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were evaluated during the year; however, none managed to achieve full compliance with the EICS criteria.
He stressed that the 15 non-compliant MDAs had entirely neglected to conduct any system studies or submit the requisite financial and audit reports, reflecting a troubling disregard for accountability.
Among the institutions listed as non-compliant were the University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the Legal Aid Council in Abuja, and the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe.
Other entities highlighted in the report included the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, and the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre in Ningi, among others.
Aliyu warned that the ICPC would not hesitate to implement appropriate enforcement measures against these MDAs to ensure compliance with government directives.
Despite the shortcomings of some agencies, he commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for standing out as the top performer in the EICS, achieving an impressive score of 89.75 per cent.
Following closely was the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) with a score of 89.33 per cent, and Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) with 88.73 per cent.
The assessment encompassed critical indicators such as Management Culture and Structure (MCS), Governance and Executive Management, and Financial Management Systems (FMS).
It also scrutinised Finance, Revenue, and Audit Processes, along with Administrative Systems (AS), which included the evaluation of policies, ethics education, and whistle-blowing mechanisms.
The EICS functions as a preventive measure to evaluate and enhance the compliance of MDAs with ethical standards, policies, and anti-corruption initiatives.
Aliyu explained that the scorecard aims to identify organisational deficiencies, provide actionable insights, advise on policy formation, and encourage self-evaluation within MDAs.
Furthermore, he revealed that from December 2023 to December 2024, the ICPC monitored 1,500 projects across 22 states, valued at a staggering N610 billion.
“During this period, the commission successfully recovered N346 million in cash and assets worth N400 million, while also aiding the government in saving N30 billion.
“The tool assessed 323 responsive MDAs, categorising 15 as non-responsive and high-risk for corruption,” Aliyu noted, emphasising that no MDA achieved full compliance in 2024.
He attributed these disappointing results to the lack of whistle-blower policies, strategic plans, and effective stock verification units.
According to the assessments, 29.55 per cent of MDAs were classified as having substantial compliance, 51.62 per cent achieved partial compliance, 15.91 per cent were deemed to have poor compliance, while 2.92 per cent were entirely non-compliant.
Aliyu stated that the ICPC would continue its practice of recognising MDAs demonstrating substantial compliance and utilising various tools to foster integrity and accountability.
In his comments, Jimoh Sulaiman, Head of the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), emphasised that project tracking has led to higher completion rates and a surge in public interest surrounding constituency projects.
“Nigerians are now more informed; they understand that project funding originates from the Federal Government, not from politicians’ pockets. They are demanding greater accountability,” Sulaiman asserted.
