ICPC President urges collective action to step up anti-corruption and integrity efforts in Africa

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), has called for greater collaboration between governments, anti-corruption agencies, civil society, private sector, media and citizens in promoting integrity and strengthening anti-corruption efforts across Africa.

A press release by the Commission spokesperson, John Odey, on Sunday in Abuja, said Dr Aliyu made the appeal in a goodwill message delivered at the commemoration of the African Union Anti-Corruption Day held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, with the theme “Increasing the promotion of integrity and anti-corruption actions across Africa”.

The ICPC President said the theme reflects Africa’s collective aspiration to build a continent where integrity, transparency, accountability and the rule of law remain the foundation for sustainable development, democratic governance and economic growth.

He noted that recent findings from the 2025 Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Center (CAACC) study underlined the urgency of strengthening integrity systems, revealing that 80% of respondents in fourteen African countries believed corruption always or often occurs, while lack of integrity was identified as a major driver of corruption.

“These findings remind us that promoting integrity is not simply an aspiration; it is an evidence-based imperative,” said Dr. Aliyu.

Dr Aliyu stressed that the Commission continues to fulfill its mandate through prevention, enforcement and public education, while working with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders to strengthen institutional integrity and eliminate opportunities for corruption.

He also highlighted the Commission’s commitment to cultivating integrity among youth through initiatives such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) anti-corruption classes, integrity clubs in secondary schools and partnerships with the Nigerian Law School and universities to integrate anti-corruption education into legal education.

The ICPC President noted that these initiatives are in line with the CAACC study, which identified public education, awareness raising and school anti-corruption clubs as the most effective preventative measures against corruption.

The spokesperson said that during the keynote speech, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described corruption as a major development challenge that deprives governments of resources needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, food security and social protection, while weakening democratic institutions, fueling insecurity and eroding citizens’ trust in government.

Fagbemi, represented by the Director of the Lawyers Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Gladys Odegbaro, stressed that: “The antidote to corruption is integrity. Integrity is the foundation of good governance and the cornerstone of public trust in governance,” adding that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains committed to strengthening public institutions, increasing transparency and accountability, enhancing interagency collaboration and modernizing the criminal justice system. and implementing technology to reduce opportunities for corruption in the delivery of public services.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Jane Onwumere, said the commemoration marks the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and provides an opportunity for stakeholders to reaffirm their collective commitment to strengthening integrity and improving the lives of Nigerians and Africans.

He noted that this year’s theme highlights that the responsibility to promote integrity extends beyond governments and anti-corruption agencies and extends to every sector of society through strong institutions and robust accountability mechanisms.

The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives of agencies such as the Code of Conduct Office (CCB), the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Program (RoLAC) and the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD), among others.

Highlights of the commemoration included a panel discussion on “Increasing the promotion of integrity and anti-corruption actions across Africa”, as well as a presentation of a document entitled “The Whistleblower and Witness Protection Bill: Where are we?” delivered by the Executive Director of African Parliamentarians Against Corruption (APNAC), Ashley Emenike.