The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), has called for innovative and technology-driven approaches to tackling corruption, stressing that “we cannot fight 21st century corruption with 20th century tools.” He made the statement at the IFEPS/ICPC Stakeholders Conference held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Securing Tomorrow: Ethics at the Frontier of Innovation,” brought together leaders, policymakers, educators, civil society organisations and private sector stakeholders to promote ethics, transparency and accountability as key pillars of Nigeria’s development.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Clifford Okwudili Oparaodu, the ICPC Chairman said corruption has become increasingly digital, faster and more sophisticated, making it necessary for anti-corruption strategies and ethical standards to evolve.
He identified three key priorities for strengthening integrity in Nigeria. The first is Prevention through Values, implemented through the C-H-I-L-D-R-E-N Values Initiative to instil honesty, discipline and respect in children from an early age.
The second is Responsibility in the Digital Space through the Citizens Digital Responsibility Initiative (CDRI), which promotes ethical online behaviour and combats cybercrime, misinformation and digital fraud.
The third is Sustainability through Funding via the newly launched Ethics Endowment Fund (EEF), designed to provide sustainable support for ethics education, public sensitisation and the institutionalisation of integrity nationwide.
Aliyu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fighting corruption, stating that while enforcement remains a core mandate of the ICPC, prosecution alone cannot eradicate corruption.
He stressed the need to build a national culture where integrity becomes the accepted standard of behaviour, noting that the Commission has laid important foundations through initiatives such as the National Values Curriculum, the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, and the Sexual Harassment Policy.
