By Waziri Isa Adam

The Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Shika, Zaria’s abysmal performance in the 2024 Nigeria Integrity and Transparency Index raises grave concerns about its commitment to transparency and accountability. Ranking 446th out of 514 MDAs, ABUTH’s dismal showing casts a shadow on its leadership and demands urgent reforms.

Under Chief Medical Director Prof Ahmed Hamidu Umdagas’ watch, the hospital’s poor performance raises disturbing questions about its adherence to ethical standards, transparency in budgeting and procurement, and accountability in decision-making and resource management.

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.

ABUTH’s alarming ranking exposes systemic flaws and necessitates immediate corrective action from Prof Umdagas. The hospital’s effectiveness and public trust hinge on transparent and accountable 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), highlighting the stark contrast between exemplary institutions and underperforming ones like ABUTH.

The report presented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, emphasized the study’s aim to promote transparency and accountability across public institutions.

ABUTH’s disappointing ranking should serve as a wake-up call for Prof Umdagas to reassess operations, prioritize transparency, and implement reforms.

Among the 514 MDAs assessed, 26 institutions did not conform to the variables used in assessing the institutions.

Additionally, 151 institutions scored between 8.00 and 0.31 percent.

The full 2024 Nigeria Integrity and Transparency Index report is available on BPSR and CeFTPI websites.

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