Nigeria has been ranked the 36th most corrupt country globally in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, the leading global watchdog on corruption.
According to the latest data, Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 on the CPI the same score it received in 2024 and slipped slightly in the overall ranking as other countries improved. In the global list of 182 assessed nations, Nigeria now sits at 142nd place, down from 140th the previous year.
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Despite this relative shift, the country retains its position as one of the world’s most corrupt nations, tied with Cameroon, Guatemala, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, and Papua New Guinea, all scoring 26 points.
How the Corruption Perceptions Index Works
The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries based on perceived levels of public‑sector corruption. Scores range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), based on expert assessments and surveys. A lower score reflects greater perceived corruption.
Global and Regional Highlights
In the 2025 CPI rankings, Denmark ranked as the least corrupt country in the world, followed by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand all scoring near the top of the scale.
No African nation made the top 10 least corrupt list, but within the continent, countries such as Seychelles, Cabo Verde, and Botswana were highlighted as relatively better performers.
At the lower end of the global spectrum, South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela were identified among the most corrupt countries, reflecting deep‑seated governance and institutional challenges.
What This Means for Nigeria
Nigeria’s CPI score underscores persistent concerns about corruption in public institutions and governance, despite anti‑corruption efforts by government agencies and civil society. The continued ranking among the world’s most corrupt nations highlights the need for strengthened transparency, accountability, and reforms to rebuild public trust and improve investor confidence.
