The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has warned that governance overreach and weak institutional controls within Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) continue to create opportunities for corruption in the public service.
Aliyu gave the warning while delivering 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 in Abuja.
The programme was organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.
The ICPC Chairman stressed that corruption prevention must receive the same level of attention as investigation and prosecution, noting that sustainable anti-corruption efforts require ethical leadership, institutional safeguards, and strict adherence to regulatory frameworks.
“Enforcement alone will not solve the problem of corruption. Prevention must be pursued in equal measure. We need to look inwards,” Aliyu said.
He cited findings from a 2025 study conducted by the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre across 11 African countries, involving both the ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau, which showed that greed and lack of integrity accounted for nearly 50 per cent of corruption cases identified in public institutions.
According to him, the findings highlight the urgent need for reforms aimed at addressing systemic weaknesses that enable corrupt practices within the public sector.
To curb such vulnerabilities, Aliyu outlined preventive mechanisms introduced by the Commission, including Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units in MDAs, Systems Study and Review exercises, corruption risk assessments, and integrity and ethics education programmes.
He also emphasised compliance with key legal frameworks such as the ICPC Act, Public Procurement Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Referencing the Supreme Court judgment in Comptroller General of Customs and Others v. Gusau (2017), Aliyu described the Public Service Rules as vital tools for promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct in government institutions.
The ICPC Chairman further noted that procurement-related offences remain among the most common cases handled by anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“Procurement-related offences constitute a significant percentage of cases handled by anti-corruption agencies. Chief executives and board members must familiarise themselves with the statutory instruments guiding their organisations,” he warned.
Aliyu also cautioned governing boards against interfering in administrative responsibilities, saying blurred lines between oversight and operational management often trigger governance conflicts within federal agencies.
Other speakers at the event included the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who urged public sector leaders to embrace technology and innovation in service delivery.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by Mr. Oladapo Okunnu, called for ethical leadership and responsible information management.
Also speaking, 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 surrounding the respective roles of boards and management teams.
The induction programme, now in its 11th edition since its inception in 2018, is coordinated by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms under its Director-General, Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and effective governance in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his closing remarks, Aliyu urged participants to recognise the strategic importance of their leadership positions in strengthening 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.