…says the ICPC successfully blocked
the diversion of close to N1.6 billion through technology-based interventions
By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to design innovative technologies to aid the fight against corruption.
In an official signed statement by the commission’s spokesperson Demola Bakare, it was disclosed that the move was made during a courtesy visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, met with ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
Dr. Aliyu emphasized the critical role of technology in both perpetrating and combating corruption, citing the Commission’s recent success in blocking the diversion of approximately N1.6 billion through technology-based interventions. “We cannot fight corruption without being smart. We know the increasing use of technology in committing corrupt acts, but we are also leveraging the same technology to fight back. Because of the deployment of technological tools, we were able to block N1.6 billion that could have been stolen,” Dr. Aliyu said.
The ICPC Chairman highlighted that 70-80% of corruption occurs in procurement processes and proposed that NASENI design technologies to track public funds and procurement processes. He also suggested creating a secure whistleblower platform, stating, “We cannot fight corruption without access to information.”
Dr. Aliyu further emphasized the need for strategic partnerships in addressing corruption, given its global nature. He assured ICPC’s willingness to collaborate with NASENI and use its enforcement powers to ensure compliance with technology-driven innovations.
To solidify the collaboration, Dr. Aliyu proposed the creation of a Joint Innovation Task Team (JITT) to identify priority areas for joint action and ensure the sustainability of the partnership. He also suggested signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the partnership.
In response, Mr. Halilu expressed NASENI’s commitment to deepening its collaboration with ICPC. He emphasized the importance of digitalizing operational processes to prevent issues like document leakage and pledged NASENI’s readiness to share its technical expertise with the Commission.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared vision of using innovation and collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
