Lack of integrity behind Nigeria’s challenges — ICPC chair

Nigeria's pervasive governance and developmental challenges stem fundamentally from a deficit in integrity and ethical compliance, according to Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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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.

Aliyu articulated this view during his opening address at the International Conference on Anti-Corruption, Transparency, and Integrity in Governance, organized by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria. He stressed that reinforcing ethical standards across all sectors is crucial for the nation to achieve meaningful progress and rebuild public trust.

"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," Aliyu stated. He underscored that the fight against corruption is a shared responsibility, requiring the active participation of public institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, professional bodies, faith-based groups, the media, academia, and citizens alike. He noted that anti-graft agencies cannot succeed in isolation.

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The anti-corruption fight requires the active participation of public institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, professional bodies, faith-based organisations, the media, academia and citizens.

The conference aimed to foster practical solutions and promote evidence-based reforms to combat corruption. Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, echoed Aliyu's sentiments, describing corruption as a significant impediment to Nigeria's socio-economic development. He added that a lack of transparency and integrity in governance has substantially contributed to developmental setbacks across the continent.

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Lack of transparency and integrity in governance contributed significantly to the continent’s developmental setbacks.

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, also called for a more decisive and action-oriented approach, warning that mere rhetoric would not suffice. Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread concerns over corruption and weak institutional accountability, making the reinforcement of integrity systems a persistent focus for successive administrations and anti-graft bodies.

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The anti-corruption fight requires the active participation of public institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, professional bodies, faith-based organisations, the media, academia and citizens.