Musa Aliyu, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has called for collective action to scale up integrity and anti-corruption efforts across Africa.

Mr Aliyu made the call at the commemoration of the African Union Anti-Corruption Day, according to a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, issued on Sunday in Abuja.

The event, with the theme, “Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa,” drew stakeholders from government, civil society and development partners.

The ICPC boss said the theme reflects Africa’s aspiration to build a continent anchored on integrity, transparency and accountability.

According to him, integrity, transparency, and the rule of law remain the foundation for sustainable development, democratic governance and economic growth in Africa.

Citing the 2025 Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) study, Mr Aliyu noted that 80 per cent of respondents across 14 African countries believe corruption occurs “always or often.”

He added that the study identified a lack of integrity as one of the leading drivers of corruption on the continent.

“These findings remind us that promoting integrity is not merely aspirational; it is an evidence-based imperative,” he said.

Mr Aliyu said the commission would continue to discharge its mandate through prevention, enforcement, and public education, in collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and other stakeholders.

He said the collaboration is aimed at strengthening institutional integrity and eliminating opportunities for corruption within public institutions.

He highlighted youth-focused initiatives, including NYSC anti-corruption lectures, integrity clubs in secondary schools, and partnerships with the Nigerian Law School and universities.

He noted that these programmes align with the CAACC study, which identified public education and school anti-corruption clubs as the most effective preventive measures.

In a keynote, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented by Gladys Odegbaro, described corruption as a “major development challenge.”

“The antidote to corruption is integrity. Integrity is the foundation of good governance and the cornerstone of public confidence in governance,” Mr Fagbemi said.

The event also featured goodwill messages from the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Public Complaints Commission, the RoLAC Programme, the Centre for Democracy and Development, and others, as well as a panel discussion and a paper presentation on the whistle-blower and witness protection bill.

(NAN)