Nigeria is facing significant corruption risks within its defence and security sectors, according to the 2025 Government Defence Integrity Index released on March 19 by Transparency International Defence and Security in collaboration with CISLAC.

In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, the report called for urgent reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability in the sector.

The assessment, which reviewed 17 Sub-Saharan African countries, rated Nigeria “Very High” overall in corruption risk. It recorded critical scores in financial (16/100) and operational (12/100) categories, very high in procurement (23/100), high in political (37/100), and moderate in personnel (50/100).

The report noted that ongoing security challenges—including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle Belt—are being worsened by weak governance structures, limited civilian oversight, outdated laws, and lack of transparency in procurement processes.

Director of Transparency International Defence and Security, Francesca Grandi, warned that none of the countries assessed, including Nigeria, has integrated anti-corruption measures into military operations. She stressed that this gap exposes civilians to abuse, extortion, and loss of trust, which can further fuel insecurity.

The report also highlighted poor financial transparency, with security votes and classified spending often escaping scrutiny. It pointed out weaknesses in procurement practices, gaps in personnel accountability, and challenges in political oversight due to limited legislative capacity and delayed audits.

Additionally, the index observed that restricted civic space across many of the countries assessed limits the ability of civil society to monitor defence activities, further weakening accountability and diverting resources away from critical security needs.