By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called for stronger integrity systems and greater collaboration among stakeholders to effectively combat corruption and strengthen public trust in governance.
Dr. Aliyu made the call on Wednesday while delivering the opening address at the International Conference on Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Integrity in Governance held in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The conference was organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), the training arm of the ICPC.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Integrity Systems for Sustainable Development and Public Trust in Nigeria,” the ICPC Chairman described the conference as both timely and strategic, stressing the urgent need for robust measures to address systemic corruption and promote ethical compliance across all sectors of society.
Represented by the Director of Special Services Department, Prince Hassan Mohammed, Dr. Aliyu noted that the absence of integrity and adherence to ethical standards remains a major factor behind many of the challenges confronting the nation.
“It is an acknowledged fact that lack of integrity and failure in ethical compliance is at the centre of most of the challenges our country is facing today,” he stated.
The ICPC Chairman emphasized that the fight against corruption cannot be left to anti-graft agencies alone, noting that success requires the active involvement of public institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, professional bodies, faith-based groups, the media, academia, and citizens.
He explained that the conference was designed to promote scholarly and policy discussions on anti-corruption strategies, facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices, generate innovative and evidence-based solutions, strengthen stakeholder partnerships, and develop practical recommendations for improved governance.
According to him, these objectives align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and are critical to fostering accountability, transparency, and sustainable national development.
Dr. Aliyu expressed confidence that sustained collaboration, innovation, and commitment by all stakeholders would help strengthen integrity systems, deepen public trust, and accelerate national progress.
In his welcome address, the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, lamented the impact of corruption on Nigeria’s socio-economic development and stated that the conference was convened to generate intellectual discourse and policy recommendations aimed at addressing barriers to transparency and integrity.
He urged participants to develop clear and actionable proposals capable of reducing corruption and promoting a culture of accountability across public and private institutions.
Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, retired Commissioner of Police Usman Baba, commended the ICPC for its sustained efforts in the fight against corruption.
Also speaking at the event, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, stressed that the fight against corruption must move beyond rhetoric and be driven by discipline, determination, and concrete action.
Bawa maintained that corruption can only be effectively tackled through systemic reforms and a collective commitment by all stakeholders to reject and confront corrupt practices at every level of society.
The conference attracted participants from government institutions, development partners, academia, research organisations, the private sector, the media, civil society groups, and anti-corruption advocates, all of whom deliberated on practical strategies for strengthening transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance.
