The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has introduced five key thematic areas to combat corruption and enhance fiscal transparency in Nigeria’s local government administration.
Announcing this initiative at the launch of the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments in Nigeria (ACPP-LG), ICPC Chairman Mr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, stressed the urgency of financial transparency at the grassroots level.
He noted that the ACPP-LG reform aligns with a Supreme Court ruling affirming financial autonomy for local governments.
Mr. Aliyu reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to enforcing anti-corruption laws and promoting a culture of transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
He stated, “The ACPP-LG is designed to strengthen local councils’ financial management, governance standards, and proactive disclosure.”
According to him, the programme’s key objectives include transparency in local government operations, proactive disclosure of financial and administrative activities, enhanced public communication, ethical governance training, technology-driven transparency, collaboration with civil society, monitoring mechanisms, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
To achieve these objectives, the ICPC has identified five focus areas: Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement, Human Resources, Corruption Control, and Citizens’ Engagement.
“By focusing on these areas, we aim to strengthen governance structures, enhance service delivery, and restore public trust in local governments. The ICPC will deploy its investigative, prosecutorial, and regulatory functions to ensure compliance.
This includes legislative enforcement, periodic audits, and oversight mechanisms to identify and rectify non-compliance,” Mr. Aliyu stated.
He urged state governments to support local councils in implementing ACPP-LG without administrative obstacles and highlighted the role of technology and social media in mobilising citizens against corruption while ensuring grassroots participation.
The ICPC Chairman also reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to prosecute cases of fund diversion at the local government level.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende who was represented by Senator Yaro Anthony Siyako, praised the initiative as a crucial step toward efficiency and transparency in local government administration.
Senator Siyako emphasised that the National Assembly supports local government autonomy and called for the prudent and transparent use of allocated resources.
“As lawmakers, we are committed to enacting and strengthening legislation that promotes accountability, transparency, and good governance at all levels,” he said.
He further assured that the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes would work to ensure responsible financial management at the grassroots level.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption Kayode Moshood Akiolu highlighted that a key challenge for local governments has been their financial dependence on state governments.
He noted that the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy would resolve this issue.
“The only major foreseeable obstacle to local governments becoming hubs of development is corruption. This is why the ICPC’s rollout of the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme is a crucial step in instilling a culture of accountability and corruption prevention,” he stated.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, and other key stakeholders commended the initiative.
They emphasised that the ACPP-LG aligns with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) and would significantly enhance transparency, accountability, and development at the grassroots level.
” This initiative will go a long way in building trust in our governance institutions and ensuring that every naira to local governments is used for its intended purpose,” Mr Abubakar added.
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