Current Transparency, Accountability, And Anti-Corruption Measures In Nigeria

While they may not always be properly enforced due to various societal factors, the Nigerian government has implemented several transparency, accountability and anti-corruption measures with the ultimate goal of preserving true democracy in our republic. Politicians should be aware and take heed of these measures to ensure their conduct aligns with the ideals of the country.

1. Transparency Measures – Transparency in Nigeria’s political space involves making government activities open, understandable, and accessible to citizens.

   Key Elements:

• Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011
  Grants citizens the right to request and access public records from any government agency, with some exemptions for security and personal privacy.
• Open Budgeting
  Increasingly, budgets are published online with breakdowns of sectoral allocations, though implementation transparency remains inconsistent.
• Public Procurement Act, 2007
  Requires competitive bidding for government contracts, publication of tender notices, and disclosure of contract awards through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
• E-Governance Platforms
  Examples include the Open Treasury Portal, which discloses federal government payments above ₦5 million, and online procurement portals.
• Asset Disclosure by Public Officers
  Mandated under the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) regulations for elected officials and senior public servants.

2. Accountability Measures – Accountability ensures public officials answer for their actions, decisions, and use of public resources.

   Key Elements:

• Checks and Balances
  The Nigerian Constitution mandates separation of powers among the executive, legislature, and judiciary to limit abuse.
• Legislative Oversight
  National and State Assemblies conduct public hearings, summon officials, and review government performance through committees and investigative panels.
• Independent Institutions
  • Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) – monitors compliance with ethics codes.
  • Auditor-General of the Federation – audits public accounts.
  • Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) – enforces prudent fiscal management.
• Civil Society & Media Watchdog Role
  NGOs, investigative journalists, and civic tech platforms (e.g., BudgIT) track spending, projects, and political promises.
• Judicial Review
  Courts can overturn unconstitutional actions, though enforcement can be politically influenced.

3. Anti-Corruption Measures – Anti-corruption efforts aim to prevent, detect, and punish the misuse of public office for private gain.

   Key Elements:

• Dedicated Anti-Corruption Agencies
  • Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – investigates financial crimes such as money laundering, fraud, and embezzlement.
  • Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) – focuses on public sector corruption, bribery, and abuse of office.
  • Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) – tracks suspicious financial transactions.
• Whistleblower Policy (2016)
  Encourages reporting of corruption with monetary rewards for verified tips leading to the recovery of stolen funds.
• Anti-Money Laundering Laws
  Aligned with international frameworks (e.g., FATF recommendations) to curb illicit financial flows.
• Electoral Reforms
  INEC regulations on campaign finance disclosure and limits aim to reduce money politics.
• International Partnerships
  Nigeria participates in initiatives like the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and collaborates with Interpol and the UN on asset recovery.