ICPC Chairman Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Combat Corruption Across Africa
ICPC Chairman Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Combat Corruption Across Africa
ICPC Chairman Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Combat Corruption Across Africa
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called for stronger collaboration among governments, anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, the media and citizens to promote integrity and strengthen anti-corruption efforts across Africa.
Dr. Aliyu made the call during the commemoration of the African Union Anti-Corruption Day held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, with the theme: “Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa.”
In his goodwill message, the ICPC Chairman said the theme reflects Africa’s collective determination to build a continent anchored on integrity, transparency, accountability and the rule of law as critical pillars for sustainable development, democratic governance and economic prosperity.
He cited findings from the 2025 Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) study, which revealed that 80 per cent of respondents across 14 African countries believe corruption occurs frequently, while the absence of integrity remains one of the major drivers of corrupt practices.
According to him, the findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen integrity systems across the continent.
“These findings remind us that promoting integrity is not merely aspirational; it is an evidence-based imperative,” Dr. Aliyu said.
The ICPC Chairman explained that the Commission continues to implement its mandate through prevention, enforcement and public education while working closely with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders to strengthen institutional integrity and eliminate opportunities for corruption.
He highlighted several youth-focused initiatives introduced by the Commission, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Anti-Corruption Lectures, Integrity Clubs in secondary schools, and partnerships with the Nigerian Law School and universities to incorporate anti-corruption education into legal training.
According to him, these programmes align with the CAACC report, which identified public awareness campaigns and school-based anti-corruption initiatives among the most effective tools for preventing corruption.
Delivering the keynote address, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented by the Director of the Solicitors Department at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Gladys Odegbaro, described corruption as a major obstacle to national development.
He noted that corruption deprives governments of resources required for infrastructure, healthcare, education, food security and social welfare while weakening democratic institutions, fueling insecurity and eroding public confidence in governance.
“The antidote to corruption is integrity. Integrity is the foundation of good governance and the cornerstone of public confidence in governance,” he said.
The Attorney-General reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to strengthening public institutions, promoting transparency and accountability, enhancing inter-agency collaboration, modernising the criminal justice system and deploying technology to reduce opportunities for corruption in public service delivery.
Earlier, the Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Mrs. Jane Onwumere, said the annual commemoration marks the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and provides an opportunity for stakeholders to renew their commitment to promoting integrity and improving governance across Africa.
She stressed that promoting integrity is a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of governments, institutions, civil society organisations and citizens through stronger accountability mechanisms.
The event featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and other organisations.
Highlights of the programme included a panel discussion on the theme of the event and a presentation titled “The Whistleblower and Witness Protection Bill: Where Are We?” delivered by the Executive Director of the African Parliamentarians Against Corruption (APNAC), Mr. Ashley Emenike.
ICPC Chairman Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Combat Corruption Across Africa
