By Waziri Isa Adam
Professor Kabiru Bala’s legacy as Ahmadu Bello University’s Vice-Chancellor is under scrutiny after the institution ranked 433rd out of 514 MDAs in the 2024 Nigeria Integrity and Transparency Index. This low ranking raises concerns about ABU’s commitment to transparency and accountability. As a premier institution, ABU should strive for excellence in governance and administration.
The Nigeria Integrity and Transparency Index assesses transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards in public institutions. Conducted by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), the index evaluates institutions based on criteria such as transparency in budgeting and procurement, accountability in decision-making and resource management, ethical standards in service delivery, compliance with regulatory frameworks, and citizen engagement and participation.
The assessment utilizes a combination of methods, including document review, stakeholder surveys, physical verification, and data analysis. The Nigeria Integrity and Transparency Index is a significant benchmark for assessing transparency and accountability in public institutions. ABU’s poor performance reflects poorly on its leadership.
Top performers included the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) (1st, 77.92%), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) (2nd, 71.53%), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) (3rd, 60.17%), Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) (4th, 44.93%), Bank of Industry (BOI) (5th, 39.43%), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) (6th, 37.98%), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) (7th, 37.24%), and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) (8th, 34.64%).
NOSDRA and NIPC outperformed leading anti-corruption agencies EFCC (19th) and ICPC (337th). The study was conducted by BPSR and CeFTPI.
According to the report presented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, the study aimed to promote transparency and accountability across public institutions.
ABU’s disappointing ranking should serve as a wake-up call to reassess operations and prioritize transparency and accountability.
Among the 514 MDAs assessed, 26 institutions, including Ministry of Mines and Power, FCE Okene, National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), Federal College of Forestry and Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna, Nigerian Coal Corporation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and Office of the Secretary General of the Federation, did not conform to the variables used in assessing the institutions.
Additionally, 151 institutions representing 195 of the total institutions assessed scored between 8.00 and 0.31 percent. These institutions include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Auchi Polytechnic, Edo, Gurara Dam Management Agency, Ministry of Petroleum, National Defence College, National Hospital, National Industrial Court, National Mathematical Centre, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Federal Medical Centre, and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
The full 2024 Nigeria Integrity and Transparency Index report is available on BPSR and CeFTPI websites.