A new report ranks Nigerian universities among the least transparent worldwide, citing entrenched financial secrecy that blocks funding and global partnerships.
Nigerian universities have been ranked among the least transparent institutions worldwide, according to a new report released by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership.
The Transparency Survey Report, titled “A National Embarrassment: Reforming Transparency in Nigerian Universities to Unlock Global Funding and Restore Credibility”, revealed that none of the 64 universities surveyed—covering federal, state, and private institutions—published budgets, audited accounts, or visitation panel reports online.
It noted that no institution disclosed internally generated revenue or spending details, while requests under the Freedom of Information Act were routinely ignored.
Osita Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre, described the findings as a damning indictment of higher education. “Transparency is not optional, it’s the key to unlocking funding, restoring trust, and positioning Nigerian universities as credible players on the global stage,” he said.
The report recommended mandatory financial disclosures, a unified audit framework, and a central transparency portal to restore credibility and attract global partnerships.