Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has called for stronger integrity systems and deeper collaboration among stakeholders to effectively tackle corruption and rebuild public trust in governance.
Speaking at the International Conference on Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Integrity in Governance held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Dr. Aliyu stressed that anti-corruption agencies cannot win the battle against corruption alone.
“The fight against corruption requires the active participation of public institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, professional bodies, faith-based organisations, the media, academia and citizens. Anti-graft agencies alone cannot defeat systemic corruption,” he said.
The conference, organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), was themed “Strengthening Integrity Systems for Sustainable Development and Public Trust in Nigeria.”
Represented by the Director of Special Services Department, Prince Hassan Mohammed, the ICPC Chairman described the conference as timely and strategic, noting that Nigeria urgently needs stronger mechanisms to promote transparency, accountability and ethical conduct.
“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.
He added that strengthening integrity systems across public and private institutions would not only curb corruption but also boost citizens’ confidence in government.
“Through collaboration, innovation and sustained commitment, we can deepen public trust, strengthen integrity systems and foster sustainable national development,” Aliyu said.
The ICPC Chairman noted that the objectives of the conference—including promoting scholarly and policy discussions on anti-corruption strategies, encouraging the exchange of best practices, generating innovative solutions and strengthening partnerships—align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his welcome address, ACAN Provost, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, lamented the impact of corruption on Nigeria’s socio-economic development and called for practical solutions.
“This conference is aimed at galvanising a concerted effort, intellectual benchmarking and policy recommendations towards identifying the major barriers that impact transparency and integrity and how to break those barriers in this new era,” he said.
Professor Ibrahim urged participants to move beyond discussions and produce actionable recommendations.
“We expect clear and robust proposals on how corruption can be mitigated and how transparency and integrity can be promoted and sustained across institutions,” he added.
Declaring the conference open, Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, CP Usman Baba (rtd), commended the ICPC’s efforts in the fight against corruption and reaffirmed the state’s support for initiatives that promote accountability and good governance.
Also speaking at the conference, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, stressed that defeating corruption requires more than speeches and declarations.
“The fight against corruption must go beyond rhetoric. It must be driven by unwavering determination, discipline and concrete action,” Bawa said.
He further noted that lasting success can only come through systemic reforms and collective responsibility.
“The battle against corruption can only be won through systemic reforms and a collective commitment by all stakeholders to reject and confront corrupt practices at every level of society,” he added.
The conference attracted representatives from government institutions, development partners, academia, researchers, students, the private sector, the media and anti-corruption advocates, all of whom deliberated on practical approaches to strengthening transparency, accountability and integrity in governance.