Imrana Sulaiman Maikanti
As part of renewed efforts to curb corruption in Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has pledged to deepen its scrutiny of local governments, ministries, and public institutions while strengthening preventive strategies at the grassroots.
The assurance was given at a one-day capacity-building engagement for media practitioners drawn from the North-East and North-West zones, held at Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano. The engagement was anchored on the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACCP-LG).
In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering determination to sanitize the country’s governance system, starting from the grassroots. He stressed that corruption remains one of Nigeria’s biggest obstacles to development and warned that the Commission would not relent in uncovering financial leakages and holding perpetrators accountable.
“The Commission is resolute in its mandate. We will continue to scrutinize the activities of local governments, ministries, departments, and agencies across the federation. Preventive measures, coupled with enforcement, remain our strongest tools in this fight,” the Chairman declared.
The Chairman further charged journalists to continue working with the Commission by exposing corrupt practices and enlightening the public on the dangers of corruption.
During a technical paper presentation, Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Abuja, explained that the ACCP-LG initiative is designed to close gaps in local government administration, improve transparency, and encourage citizen participation in governance. He stressed that accountability at the grassroots is vital because it directly impacts the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Journalists in attendance commended the Commission for the initiative, describing the training as timely and necessary. They pledged to use their platforms to support the anti-corruption campaign and hold public office holders accountable.
Analysts say the engagement demonstrates ICPC’s deliberate strategy of involving the media as watchdogs in the anti-corruption war. By equipping journalists with tools to demand accountability, the Commission is reinforcing the culture of transparency needed to achieve sustainable development.
With initiatives like the ACCP-LG and continuous media partnership, the ICPC believes that Nigeria can gradually entrench a governance system where public funds are judiciously used for the benefit of all citizens.