Nigeria's First Openness Ranking: Cross River Tops, Imo Lags
Nigeria's first comprehensive openness ranking, the CJID Openness Index, has been released. The 2024 report provides a comparative view of freedom of expression, civic space, and media freedom across the country's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Cross River State topped the rankings, praised for its tolerance of dissent, proactive information disclosure, and safe environment for journalists and civic actors. Ondo and Delta followed closely, also performing well in these areas.
At the other end of the spectrum, Imo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, and Ebonyi were among the lowest ranked states. Lagos, Nigeria's commercial and media hub, also faced criticism for incidents of harassment, detention, and killings of journalists.
The Index, based on over 1,100 respondents' experiences and verified incidents, evaluates conditions enabling civic expression, media freedom, and citizen participation. It serves as a call to action, encouraging policymakers, journalists, and citizens to address areas needing reform.
The CJID Openness Index reflects a vision of Nigeria where civic space is protected, press freedom is institutionalised, and citizens can fully participate in democratic life. Stakeholders welcomed the Index as a tool to strengthen civic space and safeguard citizens' rights. As the 2024 rankings show, there is still work to be done, particularly in states like Imo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, and Ebonyi.
