ICPC gets civil society recognition for accountability, performance

By Adebola Muili

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has received recognition for its institutional performance, transparency and accountability following an independent assessment by a coalition of civil society organisations.

The assessment, presented at a civil society roundtable in Lagos, identified the ICPC and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) among notable performers in public accountability and service delivery across federal government institutions.

According to a report published by NewsNowOnline on October 24, 2026, the assessment acknowledged the Commission’s contributions to protecting public resources, strengthening safeguards against corruption and promoting integrity in the public service.

The assessment examined selected ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government, focusing on transparency, institutional efficiency, accountability and measurable contributions to service delivery.

The recognition comes as the Commission, under the leadership of its chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, continues efforts to strengthen its investigative, preventive and enforcement responsibilities.

Beyond investigating allegations of corruption, the ICPC has maintained that effective anti-corruption efforts must also address institutional weaknesses that create opportunities for the abuse of public office.

Its preventive approach involves identifying vulnerabilities in public institutions, strengthening compliance mechanisms and promoting administrative practices designed to reduce opportunities for corrupt conduct.

The civil society assessment particularly highlighted the Commission’s oversight responsibilities in public procurement, where weak controls and corrupt practices can expose government finances to substantial losses.

Public procurement remains an important area of accountability because government contracts and purchasing processes involve public funds that require transparent procedures, effective monitoring and compliance with established regulations.

The assessment’s recognition of the ICPC’s role in this area underscores the importance of preventive oversight alongside the investigation and prosecution of alleged corrupt practices.

The latest acknowledgement also comes against the background of the Commission’s performance in the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index conducted by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity.

In the index, the ICPC scored 80.13 per cent, an improvement on the 78.13 per cent recorded in 2025, representing a two-percentage-point increase.

The two assessments provide separate perspectives on the Commission’s institutional performance, transparency and accountability responsibilities.

However, the civil society roundtable emphasised that the effectiveness of public institutions should be measured not only by policy announcements and routine activities but also by tangible outcomes and benefits to citizens.

For anti-corruption agencies, this requires sustained attention to credible investigations, effective preventive measures, institutional responsiveness and public confidence in the handling of corruption allegations.

Under Aliyu’s leadership, the ICPC has continued to pursue its statutory responsibilities through enforcement, preventive interventions and public enlightenment, recognising that prosecution alone cannot address every institutional weakness that enables corruption.

The Commission’s broader mandate also includes promoting ethical conduct and encouraging collaboration among regulatory institutions, law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations in strengthening accountability across the public sector.

The assessment further highlighted the need for anti-corruption institutions to demonstrate professionalism, fairness and transparency while respecting due process in carrying out their statutory duties.

For the ICPC, the recognition presents an opportunity to consolidate institutional improvements and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders working to promote accountability and good governance.