ICPC Calls On Federal Parastatals, Agencies, And Commissions To Strengthen Institutional Mechanisms For Preventing Corruption

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called on Federal parastatals, agencies, and commissions to strengthen institutional mechanisms for preventing corruption, stressing that sustainable anti-corruption efforts must prioritise prevention alongside enforcement.

Dr. Aliyu made the call while presenting a paper titled “The Role of the ICPC in the Prevention of Corrupt Practices in the Public Service” at the Induction Programme for Chief Executive Officers, Chairmen, and Members of Governing Boards of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, and Commissions organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in Abuja.

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The ICPC Chairman explained that the Commission’s preventive mandate was as critical as its investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities, noting that corruption could only be effectively addressed through strong institutional safeguards, ethical leadership, and compliance mechanisms within public institutions.

“Enforcement alone will not solve the problem of corruption,” he stated. “Prevention must be pursued in equal measure. We need to look inwards.”

Drawing from a 2025 study conducted by the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre across 11 African countries, in which the ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau participated, Dr Aliyu disclosed that greed and lack of integrity accounted for nearly 50 per cent of corruption cases identified in public institutions.

He noted that the findings underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to address institutional weaknesses that enable corrupt practices across the public service.

To address such vulnerabilities, Dr. Aliyu outlined several preventive tools deployed by the Commission, including Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Systems Study and Review exercises, Corruption Risk Assessments, as well as integrity and ethics education programmes.

He also stressed the importance of adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks such as the ICPC Act, Public Procurement Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Citing the Supreme Court judgment in Comptroller General of Customs and Others v. Gusau (2017), the ICPC Chairman reaffirmed the constitutional force of the Public Service Rules, describing them as essential instruments for promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct within federal institutions.

Dr. Aliyu further observed that procurement-related offences constituted a significant percentage of cases handled by anti-corruption agencies, including ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, urging chief executives and board members to familiarise themselves with the statutory instruments guiding their organisations.

He also warned against governance conflicts arising from the overreach of governing boards into administrative functions, emphasising the need for clear boundaries between policy oversight and operational management.

The programme featured participation from several senior government officials, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who urged public sector leaders to embrace technology and innovation in service delivery.

Also in attendance was the office of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by Mr. Oladapo Okunnu, who called for ethical leadership and responsible information management.

Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Kana, representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, raised concerns over undue interference in the offices of chief executives and misunderstandings regarding the respective roles of boards and management.

ICPC

The induction programme, now in its 11th edition since its inception in 2018, is coordinated by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms under the leadership of its Director-General, Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, and is aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and effective governance in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Aliyu charged participants to recognise the strategic importance of their leadership positions in shaping public trust and institutional integrity.

“The ICPC remains committed to partnering with public institutions in building a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the Nigerian public service,” he said. Eereporter.com

Nigeria Champions African-Led Security Cooperation Against Terrorism And Insurgency At Tunis Air Chiefs’ Symposium

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening African-led security cooperation and collective responses to evolving threats across the continent as he chaired the 2026 African Air Chiefs’ Symposium held in Tunis, Tunisia.

Organised under the auspices of the Association of African Air Forces (AAAF), the symposium brought together Air Chiefs, senior military leaders and strategic partners from across Africa to advance collaboration in airpower development, interoperability and coordinated security operations aimed at enhancing peace, stability and sustainable development across the continent.

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Speaking during the opening ceremony, Air Marshal Aneke stated that the symposium theme, “Operationalizing the Association of African Air Forces: A New Era of Shared Responsibility,” reflects the urgent need for African nations to collectively develop practical and sustainable solutions to terrorism, insurgency and other emerging security challenges. He emphasised that stronger partnerships, intelligence sharing and enhanced operational coordination remain critical to confronting threats that undermine peace and prosperity in Africa.

The CAS further noted that ongoing initiatives within the Association are geared towards improving interoperability, operational readiness and coordinated responses to both security and humanitarian challenges across the continent.

On the sidelines of the symposium, the CAS engaged in several bilateral and multilateral meetings with partner air forces and international stakeholders focused on expanding cooperation in training, joint exercises, intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism operations.

Nigeria Champions African-Led Security Cooperation

During the closing ceremony, Air Marshal Aneke was unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Association of African Air Forces for another two-year term, reflecting the confidence of member nations in his leadership and strategic vision for advancing collective security, regional stability and African-led solutions to contemporary security challenges. Eereporter.com

Legal Education Must Produce Lawyers Of Integrity, Not Just Legal Experts, Says ICPC Chairman

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called for the institutionalisation of anti-corruption education in Nigeria’s legal training system, stressing that legal education must produce lawyers of integrity and not merely legal experts.

Dr. Aliyu made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a welcome address at the ICPC/Nigerian Law School Workshop for Deans of Faculties of Law on the Teaching of Anti-Corruption in Nigerian Universities and the Nigerian Law School.

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The workshop, themed “Institutionalising Anti-Corruption Education in Nigeria Legal Training,” brought together stakeholders in legal education to deliberate on integrating anti-corruption studies into legal training.

According to the ICPC Chairman, corruption continues to undermine Nigeria’s development by weakening public institutions, eroding public trust, distorting economic growth, and compromising effective service delivery.

He noted that addressing the menace requires not only investigation and prosecution but also preventive, educational, and value-driven approaches that can shape ethical consciousness and promote accountability.

Speaking on the role of the legal profession in nation building, Dr. Aliyu said, “The legal profession occupies a central position in the administration of justice and the sustenance of the rule of law. Lawyers serve as custodians of the law, defenders of justice, and critical actors within the justice system.”

He further stressed the need to instil ethical values early in legal training, stating that, “Embedding these principles within university legal education and professional training at the Nigerian Law School is essential to producing lawyers who are not only intellectually competent but also ethically grounded and committed to national development.”

Dr. Aliyu explained that the workshop aligns with the Commission’s preventive and public education mandate as provided under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

He said the engagement was designed to provide a platform for brainstorming on the integration of anti-corruption studies into the LL.B curriculum in line with the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), while also examining curriculum content, delivery models, and lecturer training methodologies.

The ICPC Chairman further clarified that the Commission was not seeking to impose a rigid framework on universities or the Nigerian Law School, but rather was intended to encourage collaboration and allow stakeholders in legal education to collectively determine the most effective approach for integrating anti-corruption education into legal training in Nigeria.

The Hon Minister of Justice & Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN, in his opening remarks, challenged Deans of Faculties of Law and legal scholars to play a more active role in confronting corruption and restoring ethical values in Nigerian society.

The Minister, represented by the former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Kanu Agabi SAN, described corruption as one of the major factors responsible for Nigeria’s institutional and developmental setbacks, noting that educators must continue to uphold moral standards despite the persistence of corruption across different sectors of society.

He called for reforms in Nigeria’s educational system, stressing the importance of a curriculum that promotes civic responsibility, practical knowledge, national history, and community values.

He urged Nigerian academics to take greater ownership of the country’s historical narrative and intellectual development.

He further called for national unity and cautioned against divisions along ethnic, religious, political, and social lines, stressing the need to preserve Nigeria’s collective identity and strengthen public institutions through ethical leadership and responsible citizenship.

The Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, OFR, described the workshop as timely and necessary in confronting the challenge of corruption in Nigeria.

He commended the ICPC for convening the engagement and emphasized the need for actionable reforms capable of strengthening integrity within the legal profession.

Chief Ngige stated that the Nigerian Law School has continued to integrate ethical content across its modules, especially through Professional Ethics and Skills, with the broader objective of instilling character, integrity, and accountability in aspiring lawyers.

ICPC Chairman

According to him, “Infusing the anti-corruption studies into the curriculum of the Law School is an idea whose time has come,” adding that such a move would help nurture future legal practitioners with the moral rectitude required to support anti-corruption efforts and restore public confidence in the justice system.

He urged stakeholders to develop practical and impactful recommendations capable of strengthening anti-corruption education in legal training institutions.

Also speaking at the workshop, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, represented by Mr. L.M Farouk, described universities as critical institutions for shaping ethical values and responsible citizenship.

According to him, “University education goes beyond acquiring certificates and professional knowledge. It is also about shaping the character and civic responsibilities of students and all members of the University community.”

He emphasized that legal education carries a greater responsibility because of the profession’s role in upholding justice and the rule of law.

The event also featured paper presentations by Prof. Muhammad Tabiu, SAN, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, SAN, and Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, SAN. Eereporter.com