By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has urged federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to turn the findings of the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) into practical reforms capable of improving accountability, transparency and public confidence in government institutions.
Akume made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the unveiling of the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index held at the auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The SGF said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to promoting openness, accountability and responsible governance, stressing that Nigerians deserve public institutions whose activities, policies and decisions are visible and easy to understand.
According to him, the Transparency and Integrity Index has evolved into an important tool for measuring ethical standards, openness and accountability across government agencies, while also helping institutions identify areas where improvements are needed.
He challenged heads of MDAs to go beyond merely receiving the report and instead incorporate its recommendations into their daily operations, strategic plans and decision-making processes.
Akume said the findings should shape budget planning, procurement practices, staff development, performance evaluation systems and public communication strategies.
“The report should not end up on shelves gathering dust. It should guide management decisions, influence budget priorities, improve procurement systems, strengthen staff training and enhance how agencies communicate with citizens,” he said.
The SGF argued that transparency should be regarded as a valuable institutional asset rather than an administrative obligation, adding that integrity must become part of the culture of public service.
He noted that this can only be achieved through clear policies, proper documentation, effective oversight mechanisms, ethical leadership and appropriate sanctions for misconduct.
Akume explained that the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index evaluates public institutions across five major areas: fiscal transparency, procurement and contracting processes, human resource management and inclusion, anti-corruption measures, and citizen engagement.
He added that the initiative aligns with ongoing public service reforms, anti-corruption programmes and Nigeria’s commitments under the Open Government Partnership framework.
While emphasising that transparency efforts should not be reduced to a race for rankings, the SGF said the larger objective is to build institutions that citizens can trust, understand and actively engage with.
He maintained that stronger transparency mechanisms would help protect public resources, improve service delivery and deepen confidence in government.
“The Federal Government remains fully committed to building institutions that are transparent, accountable, professional and responsive to the needs of the people,” he stated.
Akume also praised the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) for sustaining the initiative over the years.
He called for closer cooperation among government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, professional bodies and the media to strengthen transparency efforts and intensify the fight against corruption across the country.
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