“ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu Calls Out Corruption as Major Hindrance to Nigeria’s Development”
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has underscored corruption as a key barrier to Nigeria’s progress. Speaking at the International Law Conference organized by the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he highlighted the detrimental effects of corruption on public trust, legal integrity, and economic growth.
Dr. Aliyu revealed that approximately 87 million bribes totaling N700 billion were paid recently, with rural areas experiencing higher bribe frequencies compared to urban centers. He emphasized that corruption is both a legal and social challenge that necessitates a thorough, sustained approach.
Citing a recent Nigeria Bureau of Statistics survey, he noted that corruption was ranked as the fourth most pressing issue in the country for 2023, following cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment. Despite the challenges, he observed an increase in citizens’ reporting of bribe payments, from 3.6% in 2019 to 8.6% in 2023.
Addressing additional concerns, Dr. Aliyu highlighted abuse of office and sexual harassment in Nigerian public institutions, citing the 2018 World Bank survey which indicated that around 70% of female graduates faced sexual harassment. He emphasized that corruption undermines human rights and social justice, which are crucial for a fair society.
The ICPC Chairman also discussed the importance of digital transformation and cybersecurity, calling for continuous training for the judiciary to effectively handle cyber-related cases. He concluded by stressing the need for collective action, innovative technologies, and justice to overcome these challenges and seize opportunities for development.