Nigeria faces a “very high” risk of corruption in its defence and security sectors, according to the 2025 Government Defence Integrity Index released by Transparency International Defence & Security in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre and Transparency International Nigeria.
The report, published on March 19, paints a troubling picture of the country’s defence governance, highlighting deep-rooted corruption risks despite Nigeria’s role as a key regional security actor and a major recipient of international security support.
Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, said persistent insecurity across the country — including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and farmer-herder clashes in the Middle Belt — continues to strain institutions and weaken accountability.
He noted that although there are signs of reforms, progress remains slow and uneven due to systemic challenges.
The report identified weak civilian oversight, limited transparency, outdated legal frameworks and poor enforcement mechanisms as major gaps in Nigeria’s defence system. It added that procurement processes, financial management and operational accountability remain particularly vulnerable.
Transparency International further warned that corruption is not treated as a core operational risk in military planning, a gap it said could have serious consequences for civilians and national security.
The Director of Transparency International Defence and Security, Francesca Grandi, said failure to integrate anti-corruption safeguards into military operations exposes civilians to abuse and undermines trust.
“Governments can no longer treat corruption as a secondary issue. It is a major security risk,” she said.
According to the index, Nigeria recorded a “very high” overall risk rating, with critical scores in key areas. Financial risk was rated 16 out of 100, while operational risk scored 12 out of 100, both classified as critical.
Procurement risk stood at 23 out of 100, while personnel risk was rated 50, and political risk 37, indicating varying but significant levels of vulnerability across the sector.
The report also raised concerns over weak parliamentary oversight, noting that although the National Assembly has the mandate to scrutinise defence spending, its effectiveness is hindered by capacity gaps, political interference and poor follow-up on audit findings.
It added that large portions of defence spending remain shrouded in secrecy, with limited public access to information due to security classifications and weak enforcement of transparency laws.
The report further highlighted challenges in personnel management, including low compliance with asset declaration rules, weak whistleblower protections and concerns over transparency in promotions and disciplinary processes.
On operations, it noted the absence of clear frameworks addressing corruption risks during military deployments, alongside limited training and weak monitoring systems.
In the area of procurement, the report said defence acquisitions are largely opaque, with direct sourcing widely used and oversight bodies constrained by limited access to information.
Transparency International warned that unless Nigeria strengthens oversight, improves transparency and ensures accountability, corruption within the defence sector will continue to undermine security efforts and divert critical resources.
It also noted that across Sub-Saharan Africa, many countries face similar challenges, with weak civic space and limited civil society participation further weakening accountability systems.