ICPC Nigeria, EACC Kenya Share Notes on Anti-Corruption Fight, Agree on Collaboration
In a rare unison of African anti-corruption voices, the Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, and Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), through its High Commissioner, have declared that no single nation can win the war on graft in isolation. Addressing a groundbreaking diplomatic dialogue in Abuja, they jointly called for a continent-wide shift towards shared learning, data-driven strategies, and cross-border institutional collaboration, warning that without evidence-based prevention, sustainable development remains a mirage.
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has issued a rallying call for African nations to abandon siloed approaches to fighting corruption, urging instead the adoption of shared learning and evidence-based strategies across the continent.
Dr Aliyu made the remarks on Tuesday during the maiden edition of the International Diplomatic Dialogue, hosted at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja. He described the forum as a unique platform for international engagement, knowledge exchange, and collaborative learning, one designed to sharpen anti-corruption frameworks throughout Africa.
Highlighting the persistent threat that corruption poses to sustainable development, economic growth, social justice, and public trust, the ICPC Chairman stressed that only evidence-based prevention methods could yield lasting results. In a nod to the Kenyan experience, he commended the EACC’s initiatives, noting that lessons from their journey could serve as a catalyst for transformative action in other African countries.
“Continuous engagement and learning from successful international models will be crucial in shaping robust anti-corruption frameworks,” Dr. Aliyu said. He thanked the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), led by Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, for organising the event and urged participants to ask critical questions and share perspectives freely. He concluded by expressing hope that similar dialogues would be held with other nations, thereby strengthening a global network of integrity-driven institutions.
In his welcome address, the Provost of ACAN, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, underscored the importance of mutual learning and international cooperation in institutional development. He explained that Kenya was selected for the maiden dialogue because of its resilient anti-corruption history and notable achievements, including significant asset recoveries and the successful deployment of digital governance platforms that have drastically reduced bribery opportunities.
Presenting the keynote address, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Isaac Keen Parashina, traced the evolution of Kenya’s anti-corruption framework. He identified the country’s 2010 Constitution as a landmark reform that entrenched integrity, transparency, and accountability as national values. He further highlighted the establishment of key institutions—namely the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA).
Ambassador Parashina also outlined Kenya’s legislative and institutional reforms, including the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Bribery Act, which have strengthened accountability in both public and private sectors. He noted that specialised anti-corruption courts and a coordinated multi-agency approach had enhanced Kenya’s capacity to investigate, prosecute, and recover the proceeds of corruption.
Crucially, the High Commissioner spotlighted technology as an enabler of transparency, citing platforms such as the e-Citizen Portal, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), and electronic government procurement systems. According to him, these innovations have significantly reduced opportunities for corruption by minimising human interaction in public service delivery and tightening oversight of government expenditure.
While acknowledging persistent challenges—including cyber-enabled corruption and judicial delays—Ambassador Parashina stressed that sustained progress demands continuous adaptation, stronger institutions, and enhanced international collaboration. He called for deeper cooperation between Kenya and Nigeria in asset recovery, financial intelligence, and capacity building to promote good governance and sustainable development across Africa.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Deputy High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Nigeria, Major General Dauda Alfa, described corruption as a major driver of insecurity and a prime cause of deprivation in essential public services. He highlighted asset declaration as a key anti-corruption measure adopted by the Government of Sierra Leone and expressed confidence that the dialogue would yield practical, evidence-based solutions to address the menace.