CCB Advocates Public-Private Partnership to Fight Corruption

Na'ankwat Dariem

89

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has emphasised that Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are crucial to strengthening the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

This initiative aims to harness the combined expertise, resources, and strengths of both public and private sector stakeholders to tackle corruption more effectively. Such partnerships can foster knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and innovative solutions to address the menace of corruption.

The Chairman of the CCB, Dr Abdullahi Bello, made this call in Abuja, Nigeria, at the maiden graduation ceremony of the Behavioural Insights Network, Transparency and Accountability (BiNTA) Fellowship project. The event was organised by the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) and funded by the MacArthur Foundation.

Dr Bello expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration between the CCB and private partners in combating corruption. He emphasised that a cooperative approach is vital to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance.

“I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation to the MacArthur Foundation for their support of this important initiative. Your continued investment in Nigeria’s future is invaluable, and we are all deeply appreciative of your partnership and commitment to fostering a more transparent and accountable society,” he stated.

Dr. Bello highlighted the significance of the event, describing it as a milestone not only for the BiNTA fellows but also for the broader fight against corruption and the promotion of ethical practices in both public and private sectors.

“It is my firm belief that the knowledge, insights, and solutions provided by the BiNTA fellows will significantly impact how we approach governance and anti-corruption initiatives in Nigeria,” he added.

Also Read: Digitization of ICPC will upscale fight against corruption – NITDA

The Executive Director of PIC, Dr Osasuyi Dirisu, explained during her welcome address that the BiNTA Fellowship was designed to enhance the capacity of anti-corruption change-makers. The fellowship equips participants with behavioural insights to disrupt the entrenched social norms that perpetuate corruption in Nigeria.

“You don’t have to be perfect; you will keep improving and pushing through. But the insights are crucial in ensuring we build a community and a large ecosystem of people capable of valuable work on anti-corruption issues,” Dr Dirisu noted.

She provided an overview of the project, titled “Harnessing Behavioural Insights to Counter Corruption,” describing it as a systematic approach to combating corruption.

Dr. Victor Ajieroh, a BiNTA Fellow, shared his experience, stating that the fellowship had empowered him with innovative skills to address corruption incrementally across various communities and issues.

“The initiative aims to systematically tackle corruption through an innovative approach, involving 30 fellows trained to drive change, learning management systems for scalability, and community-focused efforts leading to widespread impact,” he explained.

He further elaborated: “With the skills to identify issues, define problems effectively, understand causes, design interventions, test them, and scale them, we can address corruption one effort at a time, one community at a time. These incremental changes will accumulate to create the widespread change we aspire to see. No hope is lost.”

The BiNTA Fellowship is a professional programme designed to develop participants’ ability to lead systemic change. This edition saw 30 graduates undergo rigorous training, mentorship, and implementation phases. The programme equips change-makers with innovative, evidence-based strategies to advance various sectors in the country.

According to PIC, the graduation ceremony not only celebrates the Fellows’ achievements but also underscores the critical importance of anti-corruption and leadership in shaping better systems for Nigeria.

Comments are closed.