Nigeria has once again slipped in global governance rankings, placing 116th out of 120 countries in the newly released 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI). The country scored an overall index score of 0.289, dropping six places from its 2024 ranking.
The CGGI report, launched in Pretoria, South Africa, assesses 120 governments worldwide across seven key pillars: Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People Rise.
According to the Index, Nigeria performed weakest in the category of “Helping People Rise,” where it ranked 120th, the lowest possible position. The report also placed the country near the bottom in Strong Institutions (114th) and Attractive Marketplace (114th), reflecting persistent challenges with governance, economic competitiveness, and social outcomes.
Nigeria scored slightly better in Financial Stewardship (89th), its strongest area, showing modest capability in managing public finances. However, weaknesses in leadership, policy enforcement, and social development continue to undermine broader governance performance.
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Reacting to Africa’s overall performance, Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at the Chandler Institute of Governance, said while progress is being made in some African nations, countries like Nigeria still face steep challenges.
“As a region, Africa has significant work to do in improving the quality of governance,” Naidu noted. “However, recent progress recorded in high-performing African countries like Rwanda and Tanzania shows that reforms and innovation are possible, even in difficult environments.”
While Nigeria lags near the bottom globally, Mauritius, Rwanda, Botswana, Morocco, and South Africa emerged as Africa’s top five performers in the CGGI 2025. Rwanda, despite being a low-income country, stood out globally for its governance progress, while Tanzania was recognized as the continent’s most improved nation over the past five years.
Nigeria’s poor ranking highlights persistent issues of corruption, weak institutional frameworks, and policy failures that have limited progress in governance reforms.
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What this CGGI Means for Nigeria
Nigeria’s slip to 116th position in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for reforms in governance and accountability. Ranking last globally in Helping People Rise shows that millions of citizens are not benefiting from government policies, while poor scores in Strong Institutions and Robust Policies reveal weak law enforcement and regulatory gaps.
Although Nigeria performed relatively better in Financial Stewardship (89th), showing some fiscal discipline, challenges with debt and spending priorities persist. The CGGI stresses that countries like Rwanda and Tanzania demonstrate how good governance can be achieved regardless of income level, underscoring that Nigeria’s path forward lies in strengthening institutions, delivering inclusive growth, and prioritizing citizen welfare.
ABOUT THE CHANDLER INSTITUTE OF GOVERNANCE (CIG)
The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We are a team of seasoned government practitioners grounded in real-world experience, focusing on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. Drawing on proven practices from Singapore and around the world, we tailor our solutions to each country’s unique needs – because context matters in governance. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.
