Nigeria has been ranked 116th out of 113 countries in the 2025 edition of the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), a global benchmark that evaluates the effectiveness and capability of national governments.
The report, released by the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG), highlights persistent governance challenges in Nigeria and notes the country’s absence from the top five African performers. The CGGI evaluates governance across seven key pillars, and Nigeria’s results underscore deep-rooted institutional and structural weaknesses.
In the 2025 rankings, Nigeria placed: 110th in Leadership and Foresight, 112th in Robust Laws and Policies, 114th in Strong Institutions, 89th in Financial Stewardship, 114th in Attractive Marketplace, 112th in Global Influence and Reputation, and 120th in Helping People Rise
While Nigeria fared relatively better in Financial Stewardship, its consistently low performance across other pillars signals significant challenges for policymakers striving to strengthen governance and public institutions.
Across the continent, Mauritius, Rwanda, Botswana, Morocco, and South Africa emerged as Africa’s top five performers, reflecting comparatively stronger governance frameworks and institutional resilience.
Among the 28 African countries assessed, only Tanzania and Rwanda showed marked improvements between 2021 and 2025. Most others, including Nigeria, recorded a decline in overall performance.
The report noted: “Countries in Africa have seen mixed performance across the CGGI pillars. The region’s average score for Strong Institutions has improved, while scores for Financial Stewardship, Global Influence & Reputation, and Helping People Rise have declined. The most concerning trend is the sustained decline in Financial Stewardship, as fiscal pressures and rising debt burdens continue to impact government capacity.”
Launched in 2021, the Chandler Good Government Index is regarded as the most comprehensive global measure of government capability and performance, offering comparative insights into the public sector effectiveness of countries worldwide.
In the 2025 edition, the CGGI ranked the following African countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
