REA Gets 71.98% In ICPC Ethics Ranking, Up From 31.4% in 2020

…Emerges first in power sector

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has recorded a 71.98 per cent score in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s (ICPC) latest Ethics and Integrity Compliance Ranking and Performance Outlook, for 2025, marking a sharp rise from its 31.4 per cent ranking in the 2020 assessment.

The 71.98 per cent score also positioned REA as first within Nigeria’s power sector and as 20th nationally out of over 200 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

According to the report seen by LEADERSHP, the ICPC ranking evaluated MDAs on critical parameters including management culture, financial systems, administrative processes, and transparency mechanisms.

The report noted that REA’s top power sector placement underscored “a coordinated effort to strengthen internal controls, improve reporting systems, and foster accountability at all levels.” according to agency sources.

The report also showed that REA ranked among the top 15 MDAs in the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) Effectiveness Index (AEI), which measures the efficiency of anti-corruption units in public institutions.

The Agency’s high placement in the AEI ranking highlights the growing effectiveness of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), which plays a pivotal role in promoting ethical conduct, monitoring compliance, and preventing institutional vulnerabilities,”

Through “enhanced oversight and continuous sensitisation of staff,” the ACTU has become integral to the agency’s framework. This represents a dramatic turnaround from 2020, when ICPC ranked REA 157th out of 220 MDAs.

REA officials described the milestone as “a significant affirmation of strategic, institutional reform and internal governance.”

The agency, responsible for driving renewable energy and rural electrification nationwide, credited its progress to robust governance structures and a compliance culture built over the last two years. “This reflects not only the Agency’s adherence to ethical standards, openness and transparency but also the strength of its operational processes,” an REA statement noted.

Under its managing director/CEO Abba Abubakar Aliyu, appointed two years ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the agency said it has prioritised compliance and performance-driven governance. As the lead for Nigeria’s renewable energy and rural electrification programs, REA said this bolsters trust with partners, investors, and beneficiaries.

REA leadership aims for a top-10 national spot in the next ICPC cycle, viewing the ranking as a step in ongoing reforms.