In the latest global Rule of Law Index released by the World Justice Project (WJP), Nigeria has slipped two places, now ranking 120th out of 142 countries. This marks a decline from the 2022 index, where Nigeria was ranked 118th out of 140 countries.
Despite the slip, the report noted an increase in Nigeria’s score. “This is the sixth consecutive index marking global declines in the rule of law. This year alone, the rule of law declined in 59 percent of the countries surveyed. However, Nigeria is among the minority of countries to see its Rule of Law Index score increase this year,” the report stated.
The WJP report evaluated countries on eight indicators: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.
Nigeria’s Performance Across Indicators
Nigeria’s best performance was in the area of constraints on government powers, where it ranked 85th globally and 14th regionally. However, the WJP noted that 74% of countries failed in this area, specifically in terms of checking executive power.
In terms of the absence of corruption, Nigeria ranked 121st globally and 23rd regionally. In the open government category, it ranked 104th globally and 14th regionally.
Nigeria’s performance was less commendable in order and security, where it ranked as the second worst country in the sub-Saharan region and 139th globally. In terms of fundamental rights, it ranked 116th globally and 23rd regionally.
For regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice, Nigeria ranked 119th, 100th, and 86th, respectively, out of the 142 countries rated.
Global Rankings
Globally, Denmark topped the 2023 WJP Rule of Law Index, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Germany. The lowest-scoring country was Venezuela, followed by Cambodia, Afghanistan, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).