The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has urged Nigerian universities to play a more strategic role in the country’s anti-corruption campaign through research, policy innovation and integrity education, stressing that corruption cannot be defeated through prosecution alone.
According to an official statement signed by the Spokesperson and Head, Media and Public Communications of the ICPC, J. Okor Odey, Dr. Aliyu made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 11th Annual Conference of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, on Tuesday.
Speaking on the conference theme, “The Fight against Corruption in Nigeria: The Social Science Perspective,” the ICPC Chairman described corruption as a complex social phenomenon shaped by human behaviour, institutional weaknesses, cultural norms, economic incentives and governance structures, rather than merely a criminal offence requiring investigation and prosecution.
He noted that while law enforcement remains a critical component of the anti-corruption framework, sustainable progress would depend on evidence-based policies, behavioural change, institutional reforms and active citizen participation.
Dr. Aliyu stressed that understanding the root causes of corruption requires rigorous empirical research, interdisciplinary scholarship and policy experimentation.
He cited findings from a recent study by the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC), which identified greed, lack of integrity and poverty as major drivers of corruption across the region, saying the findings highlighted the need to address the behavioural and socio-economic factors fueling corrupt practices.
The ICPC Chairman identified key research areas requiring greater academic attention, including corruption risk assessment, public sector accountability, behavioural economics, digital governance, procurement transparency, beneficial ownership transparency, ethics education, artificial intelligence and anti-corruption, citizen participation and social accountability mechanisms.
He emphasised that research findings should go beyond academic discourse and be translated into practical public policies, legislative reforms and institutional improvements capable of strengthening governance and accountability.
Dr. Aliyu also maintained that preventing corruption through stronger institutional safeguards remains more sustainable and cost-effective than recovering stolen public resources after offences have been committed.
He advocated the adoption of corruption-proof systems, including process automation, transparent procurement, digital service delivery, robust internal controls, whistle-blower protection, open budgeting, conflict-of-interest management, ethics compliance and regular corruption risk assessments.
Calling for a whole-of-society approach, the ICPC Chairman urged government institutions, the legislature, judiciary, academia, civil society organisations, the media, the private sector, religious and traditional institutions, development partners and citizens to collaborate in promoting transparency, accountability and ethical leadership.
He further stressed that integrity education should become a lifelong process beginning from childhood and reinforced through schools, families, workplaces and public institutions.
Dr. Aliyu commended the Faculty of Social Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, for organising the conference, expressing confidence that its deliberations would generate practical ideas and policy recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption agenda.
