In the latest 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, Nigeria has fallen to 142nd place out of 182 countries, a decline of two places from its 2024 ranking of 140th. This ranking indicates that Nigeria is positioned behind 33 other African countries, raising concerns about the persistent governance challenges faced by the nation. The CPI, which scores countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), sees Nigeria maintaining its score of 26 out of 100, which remains considerably lower than the global average score of 43.

The 2025 CPI highlights a broader concern within Africa as the majority of countries on the continent demonstrate significant levels of corruption, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below the midpoint of 50. Nigeria's unchanged score from the previous year reflects stagnation in addressing corruption within the public sector, despite various reforms and anti-graft measures proposed in recent years. The failure to improve its position raises questions about the efficacy of these measures and the entrenched nature of corruption in Nigerian governance.

This downward movement in the corruption index is indicative of long-standing issues within Nigeria's political and bureaucratic systems. It emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and accountability mechanisms to enhance governance, ultimately restoring public trust in government institutions. As Nigeria continues to grapple with these challenges, the ranking serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against corruption that must be confronted to inspire positive change and development within the nation.