Laraba MUREY
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has promised to strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s 774 local governments following the release of the first Nigerian Local Government Integrity Index Report.
In a statement signed by Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and spokesperson for the commission, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, said the commission would study the report’s findings and integrate its recommendations into the Accountability and Corruption Prevention in Local Governments (ACCP-LG) program.
The report, presented by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, revealed that 85% of LGAs are in “Very High” or “Critical” risk categories, citing weak enforcement, poor service delivery, and lack of transparency. Only four LGAs were rated low-risk, with Nasarawa LGA emerging as the national model.
Port Harcourt LGA in Rivers State scored worst, with no functional website, frequent denials of information requests, and reports of electoral malpractice. The report recommended direct federal funding for LGAs, quarterly audits, and adoption of digital governance platforms to improve integrity.
Dr. Aliyu described the initiative as a timely tool to deepen transparency, promising ICPC’s commitment to using research and verifiable data to improve local government governance across Nigeria.
