SGF to MDAs: Turn transparency index into action, not shelf report

"The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to open, accountable and responsible governance, urging public institutions to ensure that their policies, programmes and activities were transparent, accessible and understandable to Nigerians." SGF Akume 

..... Describes the TII as an important instrument for measuring accountability, openness and ethical standards across government institutions, noting that it provides MDAs with benchmarks for identifying areas of strength and those requiring improvement."

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, has charged Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to translate the findings of the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index, TII, into concrete actions that will strengthen accountability and restore public trust.

Akume gave the charge yesterday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the presentation of the 2026 TII at the Auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The SGF said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to open, accountable and responsible governance, urging public institutions to ensure that their policies, programmes and activities were transparent, accessible and understandable to Nigerians.

He described the TII as an important instrument for measuring accountability, openness and ethical standards across government institutions, noting that it provides MDAs with benchmarks for identifying areas of strength and those requiring improvement.

Akume specifically warned MDAs against treating the report as another document to be filed away, urging heads of institutions to incorporate its findings into strategic planning, performance management, budget priorities, procurement, staff training and digital disclosure.

“The report should not sit on the shelf and should inform management decisions, budget priorities, procurement processes, staff training, digital disclosure, and how you communicate with the public,” he said.

The SGF said transparency should be regarded as an institutional asset rather than an administrative burden, stressing that integrity must be embedded in the procedures and culture of public institutions.

He identified clear policies, proper record-keeping, effective oversight, ethical leadership and appropriate consequences for wrongdoing as critical components of an integrity-driven public service.

Akume also urged MDAs to leverage technology by ensuring that their websites and data portals provide accurate, timely and user-friendly information, including current budget, contract and service details.

According to him, such disclosures would enable citizens to engage government more effectively and track the utilisation of public resources.

He explained that the 2026 TII assesses public institutions across five key areas: fiscal transparency; open procurement and contracting; human resources and inclusion; control of corruption; and citizens’ engagement.

The SGF said the initiative complements ongoing public service reforms, anti-corruption measures and Nigeria’s commitments under the Open Government Partnership.

He stressed that the ultimate goal of transparency and integrity should not be institutional rankings, but the development of public institutions that Nigerians can understand, engage with and hold accountable.

“The Federal Government remains fully committed to this goal. We will continue building institutions that are transparent, accountable, professional and responsive to the needs of the people,” Akume said.

He commended the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, BPSR, and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, CeFTPI, for sustaining the initiative.

Akume also called for stronger collaboration among government, civil society organisations, professional bodies, development partners and the media to deepen transparency and integrity in public administration and bring corruption to its knees.