2023 TII: DBN Emerges Highest-Ranked Public Institution – CeFTIW Survey

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has again emerged as the highest-ranked public institution in Nigeria in the 2023 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII).  The TII index recently released by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch is a collaboration between the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) and the Bureau for Public Sector Reform, with support from the MacArthur Foundation.  It assesses 511 MDAs and public sector institutions on their level of transparency and accountability in government processes.  To retain its first position, DBN scored 73.26%, moving up from the 58.74% it scored in 2022, a testament to the bank’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and proactive partnerships.  Speaking at the public presentation of the index, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mr. Maurice Mbaeri pointed out that “proactive disclosure of information as enshrined in the Freedom of Information Act seeks to enable public institutions to adopt a proactive stance in disclosing information to the public”.  Akume noted that while access to information is a powerful tool that empowers citizens to request and access government-held information, these “tools are essential to reinforce good governance as it enhances openness and accountability”.  Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, CeFTIW, Amb. Angela Nworgu explained that the centre introduced the Transparency and Integrity Index as an annual assessment of public institutions’ compliance with national laws and international conventions that promote transparency, and accountability and minimize corruption.  “The Index was developed to strengthen already existing fiscal transparency legal frameworks, institutional capacity on the requirement of these frameworks and most importantly build a well-informed citizenry that holds the government accountable”, she added.  Reacting to this development, the Managing Director/CEO of DBN, Dr. Tony Okpanachi expressed delight at the report, regarding the ranking as a reflection of the company’s corporate governance, ethics and processes.  Dr. Okpanachi further highlighted, “This report underscores our unwavering dedication to fulfilling our mandate, which involves addressing the financing challenges encountered by Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. We achieve this by offering financing, partial credit guarantees, and technical assistance to eligible financial intermediaries in a manner that aligns with market conventions and ensures complete financial sustainability.” He reassured that the organization would continue to actively promote the principles of accountability, transparency, sustainability, excellence, diversity, and innovation that are deeply embedded in its corporate philosophy.  

YABATECH is Nigeria’s Best Polytechnic for record 6th time

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has retained the first position for the sixth time in the biannual Webometrics ranking among Polytechnics in the country released in July 2023. This is contained in a statement on Saturday, signed by YABATECH Deputy Registrar, Mr Joe Ejiofor, Lagos. Ejiofor said the College also moved up by two steps, displaced other universities, widened the gap between the College and the first runner-up polytechnic by 17 steps, and improved upon its January 2023 position. According to Ejiofor, Webometric is a ranking of higher institutions of learning; it uses both Webometric and Bibliometric (research) indicators. Webometrics ranking is based on web content impact, top-cited researchers, and papers published on research and publication platforms online. The primary objective is to promote open access to the knowledge generated by institutions. “This milestone success is attributed to the support the Management has consistently given to relevant research units in the college. “In particular by providing the tools needed by the Centre for Information and Technology Management (CITM) to work professionally on the website tailored toward the sensitisation of the academic community. “This idea was to create an enabling environment so that they can publish their journals in relevant high-impact platforms,” he said. Ejiofor noted that the school had implemented strategies to improve its ranking through the increase in the quantity and quality of its web content. Earlier, the statement said that Dr Ibraheem Abdul, Rector, YABATECH, on assuming office on May 22, 2023, and in line with his erect agenda, promised to lift the college to the topmost height of academic excellence. This, according to the statement, was brought to bear by putting in place the necessary structure that would enable the College to grow, and take her stand among her global counterparts.