Nigeria among 11 African countries with worst governance decline in last decade — Report
Nigeria is one of 11 African countries experiencing the most severe decline in governance over the past decade, according to the “2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance” report published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
The report shows that Nigeria has dropped from 30th to 33rd place in governance rankings on the continent since 2014.
The report reveals that while 33 African countries have made progress in governance during the past decade, 21 countries, including Nigeria, have seen a decline in 2023 compared to 2014.
Nigeria is part of a group of 11 nations, including Sudan, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Guinea, Mauritius, and Mozambique, that have witnessed the worst deterioration in governance, particularly in the latter half of the decade.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation report states: “Over the decade, 33 countries, hosting just over half (52.1%) of the continent’s population, have made progress in overall governance… But for the remaining 21 countries, hosting 47.9% of the population, the overall governance level is worse in 2023 than in 2014.”
Africa’s overall governance performance has been negatively impacted by declining security, with coups in West Africa, the ongoing conflict in Sudan, and poor governance contributing to instability across the continent.
However, infrastructure development, including improvements in mobile phone access and energy, as well as advancements in women’s equality, have benefited 95% of Africans in 2023.
The report also highlights that, despite some progress in health, education, and the business environment, public perceptions of governance remain largely negative, with declining optimism about economic opportunities and safety.
For Nigeria, the deterioration in governance is particularly significant, with the country recording declines in 10 out of 16 sub-categories. Security and safety saw the sharpest drop, falling by 11 points, placing Nigeria among the bottom five countries for governance in 2023.
The report also revealed a substantial 49.8-point decline in the Absence of Armed Conflict indicator, ranking Nigeria as the fifth most deteriorated nation in this category.