The chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, has called for greater collaboration among governments, anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, the media and citizens to strengthen integrity and scale up anti-corruption efforts across Africa.
Aliyu made the call in Abuja during the commemoration of the African Union Anti-Corruption Day, with the theme, “Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa.”
According to the ICPC chairman, the theme reflects Africa’s shared commitment to building societies founded on integrity, transparency, accountability and the rule of law as essential pillars for sustainable development, democratic governance and economic growth.
He cited findings from the 2025 Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) study, which showed that 80 per cent of respondents across 14 African countries believe corruption occurs always or often, while lack of integrity remains one of the major drivers of corruption.
He said “These findings remind us that promoting integrity is not merely aspirational; it is an evidence-based imperative.”
The ICPC boss further noted that the commission continues to pursue its anti-corruption mandate through prevention, enforcement and public education, while working with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders to strengthen institutional integrity and close loopholes that enable corruption.
He highlighted initiatives aimed at promoting integrity among young Nigerians, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Anti-Corruption Lectures, Integrity Clubs in secondary schools, and partnerships with the Nigerian Law School and universities to incorporate anti-corruption education into legal training.
According to him, the programmes are consistent with the CAACC report, which identified public education, awareness campaigns and school-based anti-corruption clubs as some of the most effective tools for preventing corruption.
Delivering the keynote address, the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, represented by the director of the Solicitors Department in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Gladys Odegbaro described corruption as a major obstacle to development across Africa.
The minister said corruption deprives governments of critical resources needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, food security and social protection, while weakening democratic institutions, fuelllng insecurity and eroding public confidence in governance.
“The antidote to corruption is integrity. Integrity is the foundation of good governance and the cornerstone of public confidence in governance,” he added.