By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called for a comprehensive overhaul of integrity, accountability and revenue-collection systems within the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), declaring strong institutional safeguards “essential” for national development and public trust.
The call was made by the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, while opening a two-day executive anti-corruption training for senior NIWA officials in Abuja. The workshop was organised by NIWA in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) as part of efforts to entrench transparency and efficiency within the inland waterways sector.
In an official statement signed by the ICPC spokesperson, Mr. J. Okor Odey, Dr. Aliyu stressed that for an agency with NIWA’s strategic regulatory and revenue-generation responsibilities, anti-corruption safeguards must be embedded at the core of its operations. “For an organisation like NIWA, integrity is not optional; it is essential,” he said, adding that systems, procedures and controls must be deliberately designed to prevent abuse.
The ICPC boss underscored the Commission’s preventive approach to tackling corruption, arguing that proactive safeguards are more effective than reactive enforcement. “Preventing corruption is more beneficial and cost-effective than running after stolen funds,” Dr. Aliyu stated, while urging NIWA to institutionalise integrity beyond individual ethics.
He pledged the Commission’s continued support through system reviews, corruption risk assessments and targeted capacity-building initiatives, noting that such measures are critical to safeguarding public resources, strengthening operational efficiency and sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s inland waterways network.
Declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, reinforced the link between institutional integrity and economic prosperity. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajia Fatima Sugra Tabi Mahmood, the Minister described NIWA as a central pillar of the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda.
“System integrity is the foundation of effective public service, national development and sustainable institutions,” Dr. Oyetola said, emphasising that integrity is not merely a moral obligation but an economic necessity. According to him, transparent and efficient waterways management is vital for reducing transport costs, enabling trade and attracting investment into the maritime and inland transport sectors.
He urged NIWA leadership and management to model ethical leadership, embrace innovation and pursue revenue strategies that align with global best practices, stressing that a credible institutional framework is key to unlocking the full economic potential of Nigeria’s waterways.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the NIWA Board, Barrister Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, CFR, situated the retreat within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing integrity as a practical discipline that must guide every operational and strategic decision of the Authority. “For NIWA, integrity cannot be an afterthought,” he declared.
Barrister Shagari outlined a broad integrity action plan aimed at strengthening transparency and investor confidence, including the deployment of digital payment systems to curb revenue leakages, the reinforcement of internal control mechanisms, continuous ethics training to professionalise the workforce, and deeper community engagement in service monitoring. He stressed that the objective goes beyond revenue generation. “Our goal is to create resilient systems that attract private investment and foster strong community partnerships,” he said.
Providing further insight into the workshop, the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, represented by the Deputy Director, Mr. Clement Obaniyi, said the training was designed to produce practical, measurable outcomes. He explained that participants would be equipped to identify corruption risk points in revenue management, apply effective controls to prevent leakages and develop actionable integrity plans tailored to their respective units.
In his remarks, the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Umar Yusuf Girei, expressed appreciation to the Minister, the ICPC and the NIWA Board for their support and leadership. He urged participants to sustain the collaborative spirit of the retreat, noting that strengthened integrity systems remain critical to improved institutional performance and the long-term success of the inland waterways sector.
