The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has disclosed that all Federal Ministry, Department, or Agencies, MDAs, failed the test for compliance with established ethics and integrity standards during its 2025 evaluation.
Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the ICPC, represented by Olusegun Adigun, Director of the System Study and Review Department, presented the assessment results on Tuesday in Abuja, where he underscored the significant deficiencies present within the systems and structures of the MDAs, which were uncovered during the evaluation process.
The ICPC conducted its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard, EICS, assessment across a total of 357 MDAs. Of these, 344 MDAs were effectively assessed, allowing for a comprehensive review of the compliance landscape within Nigeria’s federal public sector institutions.
“Thirteen MDAs (3.64 per cent) from the total 357 MDAs deployed were non-responsive and classified as high-risk MDAs,” he said.
Aliyu noted that the 2025 edition was the 7th annual assessment of Federal MDAs, providing a consistent mechanism for evaluating ethics, integrity, and compliance.
The ICPC boss emphasised that general ethical principles were no longer sufficient, given increasing risks and vulnerabilities faced by public institutions.
He said that the compliance evaluation, developed by ICPC, served as a tool for assessing and promoting accountability within Nigerian public institutions.
According to him, the assessment covered 357 MDAs, with 344 effectively assessed. The findings showed that no MDA achieved full compliance.
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“Only 13.95 per cent demonstrated substantial compliance, while 38.37 per cent recorded partial compliance, and 40.99 per cent showed poor compliance.
“Some MDAs lacked core values, mission, and vision systems, while others didn’t have domesticated policies on gift acceptance, donations, and hospitality. 102 MDAs didn’t have strategic plans, and 154 MDAs lacked monitoring systems.
“The ACTU Effectiveness Index (AEI) complemented the EICS, assessing ACTU’s performance as in-house control mechanisms.
“The AEI scores showed 12.31 per cent of ACTUs were ‘Very Effective,’ 30.97 per cent ‘Effective,’ 52.99 per cent ‘Ineffective,’ and 3.73 per cent ‘Dormant.’
“The findings indicate that several MDAs still lack basic systems, structures, and capacities to prevent corruption.”
The ICPC boss said that weak administrative systems, poor whistleblowing frameworks, inadequate training, and underperforming ACTUs undermined the public sector’s transparency and efficiency.
While stating that the commission remains committed to strengthening transparency, ethical conduct, and accountability, Aliyu said that the ICPC would take necessary steps to address the deficiencies and correct anomalies within the public service.
He said that the 2025 EICS and AEI results showed progress in financial management but highlighted weaknesses in administrative and ethical systems.
Aliyu urged MDAs to improve their systems and structures to prevent corruption, adding that the commission’s efforts aimed to support sustainable national development.
“The commission will continue to deploy corrective and enforcement measures, engaging MDAs to strengthen transparency and accountability.
“ICPC’s initiatives aim to promote a culture of ethics and integrity within Nigerian public institutions.”
According to him, the commission’s work is crucial in ensuring public institutions operate with transparency and accountability, supporting Nigeria’s development. NAN
