ICPC releases 2025 scorecard of MDAs, laments non-compliance to ethics 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has lamented the insufficiency of ethical principles in ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, of the Federal Government.

ICPC made this observation following the formal unveiling of the 2025 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard, EICS, alongside the ACTU Effectiveness Index, AEI, across Federal Government MDAs.

The ICPC unveiled the scorecard at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Commission said no MDA achieved full ethical compliance, adding that out of the 344 MDAs assessed only 48 demonstrated substantial compliance.

Parts of the report read, “132 MDAs (38.37%) recorded partial compliance, while 141 MDAs (40.99%) showed poor compliance, and 23 MDAs (6.69%) fell under non-compliance.In addition, 13 MDAs (3.64%) from the total 357 MDAs deployed were non-responsive and classified as high-risk MDAs.

“169 MDAs do not have the core values, mission and vision systems for understanding by their staff, and 191 MDAs do not have domesticated policies regarding acceptance of gifts, donations,hospitality, etc., which may create integrity questions.

“MDAs are expected to have a policy to guide employees. 102 MDAs do not have a strategic plan, 154 MDAs do not have a monitoring system and did not conduct monitoring and evaluation of their activities,programmes and projects for the year under review.

“289 MDAs did not encourage System Studies/Corruption Risk Assessments by the ACTU, while 315 MDAs did use the results of System Studies/Corruption Risk Assessments for decision making.

“99 MDAs do not have a guideline on granting of advances to staff, 69 MDAs do not make retirement on advances as and when due, while 68 MDAs do not ensure that personnel retire advances before granting a fresh advance.

“114 MDAs did not render financial reports to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for the year under review. 40 MDAs did not comply with the need to remit IGR as required by standard and 75 MDAs did not comply with the fiscal responsibility provisions.

“A total of 41 MDAs failed to carry out internal audit activities as and when due, while 96 MDAs did not submit their annual audited accounts to the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and the National Assembly within the first six months of the subsequent year for the period under review and for the past three years. In addition, 58 MDAs do not have external auditors engaged through due process.

“88 MDAs did not conduct an annual needs assessment preparatory to its procurement and 32 MDAs do not have an annual procurement plan in compliance with the provisions of PPA 2007and its approved annual budget.

“A total of 71 MDAs did not provide external partners and stakeholders with their Principles of Ethics and Compliance, including applicable sanctions clauses. In addition, these MDAs failed to give the required minimum notice period of one week for stakeholders invited to attend and observe their procurement processes.

“A total of 34 MDAs failed to carry out performance certification for ongoing works projects and did not verify goods supplied before granting payment approvals. Additionally, 114 MDAs did not conduct market surveys during the year under review.

“In 137 MDAs, procurement officers did not attend any training by BPP and other trainings on procurement processes in the year under review. 114 MDAs did not conduct market surveys within the year under review.

“50 MDAs have petitions /ongoing investigations by the ICPC against the organisation or its personnel for infractions or defaults/non-compliance with procurement/recruitment processes.

“21 MDAs do not have legal instruments establishing the organisation, and 16 MDAs operate without documents (operational manual) that outline and explain the policies and operations of the organisations, while 24 MDAs do not conduct annual performance reviews and appraisals; therefore, promotion of staff is irregular.

“In 36 MDAs, most organisational operational records remain non-computerised, relying largely on manual processes. Additionally, 14 MDAs either do not have an official website or have websites that have not been updated within the last six months.

“144 MDAs do not have an annual training plan;146 MDAs did not conduct capacity training for Management and Staff on ethics and compliance,and in 192 MDAs, the training consultants/firms are not duly accredited by the relevant agencies/regulatory bodies, etc. 241 MDAs do not have a domesticated Whistle-blower Policy in place, while 269 MDAs’whistleblowing policies are not accessible.

“94 MDAs do not have domesticated codes of conduct, while 245 MDAs have domesticated professional codes, but codes are not regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes and realities, and some do not specify procedures to prevent, investigate, and redress non-compliance.

“A total of 146 MDAs do not have a reward system to encourage ethical behaviour and compliance with established rules and procedures. In some cases, existing reward systems are neither transparent nor aligned with the organisation’s core values.

“On the ACTU Effectiveness Index (AEI) 33ACTUs (12.31%) were rated ‘Very Effective’, 83ACTUs (30.97%) ‘Effective’, 142 ACTUs (52.99%) ‘Ineffective’ and 10 ACTUs (3.73%)’Dormant,’.

“Also, 89 MDAs (24.93%) from the total number of MDAs the AEl was deployed in did not establish ACTU, reflecting breach of compliance with the National Anti-Corruption framework.”

ICPC said its findings indicate that although certain improvements have been made, particularly in financial management, several MDAs stilI lack the basic systems, structures, and capacities required to effectively prevent corruption.

“Weak administrative systems, poor whistleblowing frameworks, inadequate training, and underperforming ACTUs collectively undermine the public sector’s ability to operate transparently and efficiently.”

ICPC releases 2025 scorecard of MDAs, laments non-compliance to ethics