Abuja — Transparency International (TI), the global anti-corruption watchdog, has ranked Nigeria 142nd out of 182 countries in its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), making the country the 36th most corrupt nation globally.
The latest ranking represents a decline from Nigeria’s 140th position in 2024, although it retained the same standing as the 36th most corrupt country worldwide. In the CPI ranking system, a lower numerical position indicates higher levels of perceived corruption, with Denmark ranked first as the cleanest country, while 182 represents the most corrupt.
Nigeria recorded a score of 26 points and shared the same position with Cameroon, Guatemala, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan and Papua New Guinea.
The index, released yesterday on Transparency International’s official website, assesses countries based on perceived levels of public-sector corruption, using a scale of zero to 100 — where zero signifies extreme corruption and 100 represents a very clean public sector.
Denmark maintained its status as the least corrupt country in the world with a score of 89 points. It was followed by Finland with 88 points, Singapore with 84 points, and New Zealand with 81 points.
No African country featured in the top 10 cleanest nations globally. However, Seychelles emerged as Africa’s least corrupt country with a score of 68 points, followed by Cabo Verde with 62 points and Botswana with 58 points.
At the bottom of the global ranking, South Sudan, Somalia and Venezuela were identified as the most corrupt countries for the year under review.
Speaking on the methodology behind the ranking, Transparency International’s Chief Executive Officer, Maíra Martini, explained that the 2025 CPI evaluated 182 countries and territories worldwide based on perceptions of public-sector corruption.
She noted that while 31 countries have made significant progress in reducing corruption since 2012, many others have either stagnated or experienced worsening conditions.
According to Martini, the global average score dropped to a record low of 42, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. She warned that the consequences of corruption remain severe, contributing to poorly funded healthcare systems, inadequate infrastructure, and diminishing opportunities for young people.
Martini further cautioned that corruption continues to pose a serious threat across all regions of the world, with limited signs of sustained improvement.
She observed a long-term decline in leadership commitment to combating corruption, adding that even established democracies such as the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand have recorded declining performance in recent years.
The TI chief also raised concerns over shrinking civic space in many countries, noting that restrictions on civil society, journalists and non-governmental organisations reduce transparency and accountability, thereby enabling corruption to thrive.
She called on political leaders worldwide to take decisive action against abuses of power, strengthen democratic checks and balances, and protect independent civil society.
Martini concluded that growing anti-government protests in various parts of the world reflect widespread public frustration with unaccountable leadership and a strong demand for meaningful reforms.
Nigeria Slips Further on Global Corruption Index, Ranks 142nd in 2025 — Transparency International
