By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has convened its 2026 Management and Board Retreat in Niger State, setting in motion a fresh internal reform drive aimed at strengthening institutional effectiveness and boosting public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.
The two-day retreat, which was formally opened by the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, is holding at the Royal Institute for Training and Human Capital Development Limited, Zuma Rock Resort, and is themed “Enhancing Institutional Effectiveness: Leadership, Performance and Public Trust.”
The high-level forum brought together Honourable Members of the Board, the Secretary to the Commission, all departmental and unit heads, as well as Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioners from ICPC state offices across the federation.
In an official signed statement, the Commission’s spokesperson, Okor Odey, said the retreat also attracted key institutional partners, including Hon. Justice Chidiebere N. Uwa (JSC) of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; Dr. Roger Koranteng, Adviser and Head of the Public Sector Governance and Peace Directorate at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London; and representatives of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC/International IDEA), and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
In his opening address, Dr. Aliyu described the retreat as a defining moment for reflection, strategic recalibration and renewed dedication to the Commission’s public mandate.
He stressed that the ICPC must move beyond being assessed by effort alone and instead be judged by measurable impact, including investigations that lead to successful convictions, preventive interventions that effectively close systemic loopholes, and public education initiatives capable of driving lasting behavioural change.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us. Corruption remains the single most grave obstacle to Nigeria’s development, and the ICPC is the shield upon which the hopes of many rest,” the Chairman said.
He called for the transformation of the Commission from a merely functional institution into a formidable anti-corruption force, anchored on courage, innovation and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Dr. Aliyu outlined key outcomes expected from the retreat, including the signing of a “Zuma Declaration” that will commit management to specific performance benchmarks for 2026, the adoption of a strengthened monitoring and evaluation framework, improved inter-departmental collaboration, and the development of a clear roadmap for digital transformation.
Goodwill messages at the event reinforced the shared resolve to intensify the fight against corruption. The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, commended the ICPC for its boldness, while Dr. Emmanuel Uche of RoLAC/International IDEA noted that the retreat provides an important opportunity to reassess strategies in response to the growing sophistication of corrupt practices.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Roger Koranteng spoke on “Positioning African Anti-Corruption Agencies for Global Effectiveness: The Way Forward for ICPC,” emphasising that corruption thrives in secrecy but weakens under sustained, courageous and collective action.
In another session titled “Institutional Integrity in Anti-Corruption Agencies: Lessons from the Bench,” Hon. Justice Chidiebere N. Uwa (JSC) underscored that integrity is built daily on the foundations of fairness, accountability, transparency and strict adherence to due process.
Participants also received further insights from Dr. Umar Yakubu, Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, who delivered a presentation on strengthening accountability frameworks within public institutions.
The 2026 retreat ended with a collective commitment by ICPC leadership to translate deliberations into concrete actions that will reinforce internal systems and significantly deepen the Commission’s impact across Nigeria’s anti-corruption landscape.
