The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu has declared that the Commission will now be judged by results, not effort, as Nigeria intensifies its fight against corruption.
Speaking at the opening of the ICPC 2026 Management and Board Retreat in Niger State, Dr. Aliyu said investigations must lead to convictions, systemic loopholes must be firmly closed, and public education must drive real behavioural change.
“The eyes of the nation are upon us. Corruption remains the single most grave obstacle to Nigeria’s development, and the ICPC is the shield upon which the hopes of many rest,” the ICPC Chairman stated.
The two-day retreat, themed ‘Enhancing Institutional Effectiveness: Leadership, Performance and Public Trust,’ brought together ICPC Board Members, management, departmental and unit heads, as well as Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioners from across Nigeria.
Dr. Aliyu described the retreat as a moment for deep reflection and strategic realignment, urging the Commission to move from being merely functional to becoming a bold and formidable institution that challenges the status quo.
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He outlined key outcomes expected from the meeting, including the signing of a “Zuma Declaration” that will commit ICPC leadership to clear 2026 performance targets, a strengthened monitoring and evaluation framework, improved inter-departmental collaboration, and a clear roadmap for digital transformation.
The retreat also featured goodwill messages from partner institutions.
Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, praised the ICPC’s courage in reassessing its strategies, while Dr. Emmanuel Uche of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC/International IDEA) noted that the retreat was timely, given the growing complexity of corruption.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Roger Koranteng of the Commonwealth Secretariat said corruption cannot be defeated by a single agency working alone, stressing that it thrives in silence but weakens under sustained and collective action.
In another session, Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Justice Chidiebere N. Uwa, underscored the importance of integrity within anti-corruption agencies.
He noted that fairness, accountability, transparency, and strict adherence to due process remain the foundation of public trust.
The retreat ended with a strong commitment by ICPC leadership to turn discussions into concrete action, aimed at strengthening internal systems and deepening the Commission’s impact in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.