The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called for stronger collaboration among governments, anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, the media and citizens to deepen integrity and strengthen anti-corruption efforts across Africa.
According to an official statement signed by the Spokesperson/Head, Media and Public Communications of the ICPC, J. Okor Odey, Dr. Aliyu made the call while delivering a goodwill message at the commemoration of the African Union Anti-Corruption Day held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. The event, themed “Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa,” brought together key stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance across the continent.
Dr. Aliyu described the theme as a reflection of Africa’s collective aspiration to build societies where integrity, transparency, accountability and the rule of law form the foundation for sustainable development, democratic governance and economic growth.
Citing findings from the 2025 Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) study, the ICPC Chairman said the report highlighted the urgent need to strengthen integrity systems across Africa. According to him, 80 per cent of respondents in fourteen African countries believe corruption occurs always or often, while lack of integrity remains one of its leading causes.
“These findings remind us that promoting integrity is not merely aspirational; it is an evidence-based imperative,” Dr. Aliyu said.
He noted that the Commission continues to pursue its anti-corruption mandate through prevention, enforcement and public education, while working closely with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders to strengthen institutional integrity and eliminate opportunities for corruption.
Dr. Aliyu also highlighted the Commission’s efforts to instill integrity among young Nigerians through initiatives such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Anti-Corruption Lectures, Integrity Clubs in secondary schools and partnerships with the Nigerian Law School and universities to incorporate anti-corruption education into legal training.
He observed that these initiatives align with the CAACC study, which identified public education, awareness campaigns and school-based anti-corruption clubs as some of the most effective preventive measures against corruption.
Delivering the keynote address, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was represented by the Director of the Solicitors Department in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Gladys Odegbaro, described corruption as a major obstacle to national development, saying it deprives governments of resources needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, food security and social protection, while weakening democratic institutions and eroding public trust.
“The antidote to corruption is integrity. Integrity is the foundation of good governance and the cornerstone of public confidence in governance,” Fagbemi said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, to strengthening public institutions, enhancing transparency and accountability, improving inter-agency collaboration, modernising the criminal justice system and deploying technology to reduce opportunities for corruption in public service delivery.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Mrs. Jane Onwumere, said the annual commemoration marks the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and provides an opportunity for stakeholders to renew their collective commitment to promoting integrity and improving the lives of Nigerians and Africans.
She stressed that promoting integrity is a shared responsibility that extends beyond governments and anti-corruption agencies to every sector of society through strong institutions and effective accountability mechanisms.
The event featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), among other organisations.
Highlights of the commemoration included a panel discussion on the theme of the event and a paper presentation titled “The Whistleblower and Witness Protection Bill: Where Are We?” delivered by the Executive Director of the African Parliamentarians Against Corruption (APNAC), Mr. Ashley Emenike.
