By Stephen Simon
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), has said that the fight against corruption in Nigeria requires the active involvement of all sectors of society, stressing that anti-corruption agencies alone cannot win the battle against systemic graft.
Aliyu made the assertion on Wednesday while delivering the opening address at the International Conference on Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Integrity in Governance organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), the training arm of the ICPC, in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Strengthening Integrity Systems for Sustainable Development and Public Trust in Nigeria,” the ICPC Chairman described the event as timely and strategic, noting that the country urgently needs stronger mechanisms to address corruption and promote ethical conduct across public and private institutions.
Represented by the Director of Special Services Department, Prince Hassan Mohammed, Aliyu said the lack of integrity and weak adherence to ethical standards remain major contributors to 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 said.
The ICPC boss emphasized that the anti-corruption campaign must involve government institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, professional bodies, faith-based groups, the media, academia and citizens.
According to him, sustainable success in combating corruption can only be achieved through collective action, innovation and stronger partnerships among stakeholders.
Aliyu noted that the objectives of the conference align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.
He explained that the conference was designed to encourage policy discussions on anti-corruption strategies, facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices, generate innovative solutions, strengthen partnerships and develop practical recommendations for improved governance.
The ICPC Chairman expressed confidence that stronger integrity systems would deepen public trust in institutions, improve accountability and support sustainable national development.
In his welcome address, the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, lamented the devastating impact of corruption on Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He said the conference was aimed at galvanizing intellectual engagement and policy dialogue to identify barriers to transparency and integrity and develop workable solutions for overcoming them.
Professor Ibrahim urged participants to come up with robust recommendations capable of strengthening accountability and promoting ethical leadership across all sectors.
Declaring the conference open, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, CP Usman Baba (rtd), commended the ICPC for its efforts in promoting transparency and combating corruption.
Also speaking at the event, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), , stressed that the fight against corruption must move beyond rhetoric and be driven by concrete actions, discipline and unwavering commitment.
According to Bawa, corruption can only be effectively tackled through systemic reforms and a collective determination by all stakeholders to reject and confront corrupt practices at every level of society.
The conference attracted participants from government institutions, development partners, academia, the private sector, the media and anti-corruption advocacy groups who deliberated on practical approaches to strengthening transparency, accountability and integrity in governance.
In a statement by the Head of Media and Public Communications of the ICPC, Mr. J. Okor Odey, the conference underscored the importance of building stronger institutions and fostering ethical leadership as critical pillars for sustainable development and public trust in Nigeria.
I think this headline is the strongest because it elevates the story from a routine conference report to a substantive policy statement about Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. It is likely to attract more reader interest while remaining accurate to Aliyu’s message.
