The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Centre for Management Development, CMD, have moved to tackle the activities of unlicensed consultancy practitioners operating within Nigeria’s management training and consultancy sector.
The two institutions are also exploring a strategic partnership to strengthen professional standards, improve public-sector capacity and promote preventive measures against corruption and maladministration.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this when he received a delegation from the CMD, led by its Director-General, Mr. Bitrus Chinoko, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Chinoko raised concerns over the proliferation of unaccredited individuals and firms offering management training and consultancy services to public and private sector organisations.
He warned that the activities of unlicensed practitioners could lead to the delivery of substandard services, undermine organisational performance and weaken public confidence in the management consultancy profession.
“We are witnessing a worrying trend where unlicensed practitioners operate with impunity, delivering substandard services that ultimately undermine organisational performance and public trust,” Chinoko said.
He therefore sought the support of the ICPC in identifying and addressing infractions within the sector, stressing that only duly accredited professionals should be allowed to provide consultancy services.
Beyond regulatory concerns, the CMD Director-General proposed a collaborative capacity-building programme for ICPC personnel, offering the Centre’s expertise in leadership development, productivity enhancement and specialised training.
Responding on behalf of the ICPC Chairman, the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, DSSRS, welcomed the proposed partnership and reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration.
Oparaodu said the Commission’s mandate extended beyond the enforcement of anti-corruption laws to include public education and enlightenment on ethical conduct, integrity and corruption prevention.
“Prevention is as vital as enforcement in our anti-corruption strategy,” he said, noting that collaboration with the CMD would help address systemic weaknesses and professional misconduct that could undermine good governance.
On the issue of unaccredited consultancy practitioners, Dr. Aliyu assured the CMD that the ICPC would take appropriate action on credible intelligence and properly substantiated petitions.
He urged the Centre to provide detailed evidence of suspected violations, assuring that the Commission would ensure that the law takes its course whenever wrongdoing is established.
The two agencies agreed to establish a joint technical committee to develop an action plan for the proposed partnership. The framework is expected to cover joint training programmes, accreditation monitoring and public awareness campaigns.
The partnership is aimed at strengthening professionalism within Nigeria’s management consultancy sector, improving institutional capacity and promoting ethical standards necessary for effective public administration and sustainable development.
