Report ranks Nigeria among 11 worst-governed African nations

The 2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) report, the biennial dataset which assesses governance performance and trends in the 54 African countries has been released. The report covers the progress made by African countries over the past decade from 2014, to 2023.

The IIAG, published by the Mo Ibrahim foundation assesses governance performance in each African country with data collected from 49 independent sources.

The 2024 IIAG report reveals that Africa's governance progress, which had been stagnant for four years, has now halted in 2022. The noticeable halt in the progress of governance in Africa has been linked to the rising conflict, insecurity, and a shrinking democratic space on the continent.

These factors hugely undermine the crucial gains made in human and economic development, bringing Africa's governance progress to a standstill.

33 African countries which account for 52.1% of the continent's population, made progress in governance between 2014 and 2023. The report however, noted that the remaining 21 countries, home to 48% of Africa's population, saw a decline in governance performance over the same period, ending up in a worse position than they were in 2014.

Seychelles emerged as the best performing and most improved country in the report overtaking Mauritius from 2020, and now sitting comfortably in top spot.

The progress or deterioration was detailed in five datasets which include Increasing Improvements (13 countries), Warning signs (11 countries), Increasing deterioration (11 countries), Slowing improvements (9 countries), Slowing deterioration (7 countries), and Bouncing back (3 countries).

Nigeria was ranked among the eleven countries in Africa that witnessed the highest level of deterioration in governance during the period under review.

The report saw Nigeria slump three places from 30th on the continent, to 33rd making it one of the worst-ruled states since 2014.

The table below highlights the countries that witnessed increased deterioration during the decade under review;

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The 2024 report highlighted significant governance failures in Nigeria with notable decline in key indicators, such as security and rule of law which declined from 43.9% in 2014, to 39.7%. Accountability and transparency dropped slightly from 48% to 47.3%, Security and safety also witnessed a significant decline from 50.9%, to 39.9%, while Rule of law and justice also dropped from 50.6%, to 42.5%.

Anti-corruption efforts, though very low (28.9%) was seen to be an improved score from 25.9% recorded in 2014.