Nigeria's fight against corruption has been jolted by a damning assessment of the state oil giant, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has given NNPCL a score of zero in its 2025 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard, placing it at the absolute bottom of 357 federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) evaluated.
NNPC's Zero Score Exposes Deep Governance Gaps
The shocking rating, released by the ICPC on Wednesday, has reignited serious concerns about transparency and accountability within Nigeria's most strategic public institutions. The assessment is based on four key pillars: management culture and structure, financial management systems, administrative systems, and the effectiveness of anti-corruption and transparency units. NNPCL failed across all these areas, leading to its classification as a high-risk institution.
This outcome is particularly striking for industry observers. It comes at a time when the Bayo Ojulari-led company has been publicly announcing improved financial performance and growing profitability. The stark disconnect between these reported profits and the abysmal governance score raises fundamental questions about the integrity of its operations and the credibility of its reform narrative.
Widespread Non-Compliance Across Federal Agencies
The ICPC's 2025 scorecard paints a troubling picture of ethical standards across Nigeria's entire public service. Out of the 357 MDAs assessed, only 48 agencies, or 13.95%, achieved a rating of substantial compliance. A significant 141 MDAs (40.99%) were rated poorly, and 23 were classified as outright non-compliant. Notably, not a single agency achieved full compliance, highlighting the systemic nature of the governance challenge.
Speaking at the report's presentation, ICPC Chairman Dr. Aliyu Musa, represented by Director of Systems Study and Review Mr. Olusegun Adigun, stated that the results expose deep and systemic weaknesses in ethical standards. The commission has signaled a tougher stance ahead, warning that persistently low-scoring agencies like NNPCL will face closer scrutiny, including system studies and potential enforcement actions to compel compliance.
Mixed Results for Petroleum Sector Regulators
While NNPPL languishes at the bottom, the scorecard revealed a sharp contrast within the oil and gas sector's regulatory bodies. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), led by Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, emerged as the top-performing agency nationwide with an impressive score of 91.83. It was praised for robust internal controls and a strong compliance culture.
In stark contrast, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA) scored a low 38.25, indicating persistent administrative weaknesses. This disparity underscores how reforms within the sector have yielded sharply different outcomes across institutions.
Thirteen MDAs, including NNPCL, were flagged as non-responsive and high-risk. Efforts to obtain an official reaction from NNPCL were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson did not respond to calls or messages at the time of reporting. For analysts, the zero score represents more than just reputational damage; it strikes at the heart of corporate governance and the credibility of reforms in a sector critical to Nigeria's fiscal stability. How NNPCL responds will be crucial for restoring public trust and investor confidence.
