ICPC Chairman Calls For Tech-Driven Anti-Corruption Strategy

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu has called for innovative, technology-driven approaches to combating corruption, warning that Nigeria cannot tackle modern corruption with outdated methods.

Speaking at the IFEPS/ICPC Stakeholders Conference held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Aliyu said corruption has become increasingly digital, sophisticated and fast-moving, requiring anti-corruption agencies and institutions to adapt their strategies accordingly.

The ICPC chairman, in a statement delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Commission, Clifford Okwudili Oparaodu said “We cannot fight 21st century corruption with 20th century tools.”

The conference, themed “Securing Tomorrow: Ethics at the Frontier of Innovation”, brought together policymakers, educators, civil society organisations, private sector representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the role of ethics, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s development.

The ICPC chairman stressed that while prosecution remains an important part of the commission’s mandate, enforcement alone cannot eliminate corruption.

“We must build a national culture where integrity becomes the accepted standard of behaviour,” he said, adding that the commission has already laid important foundations through initiatives such as the National Values Curriculum (NVC), the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP), and the Sexual Harassment Policy.

In her welcome address, the executive director of the Institute for Ethics and Professional Studies, Dr. Uyim Akpabio said the conference was convened at a time when technological advancement is outpacing regulation.

She noted that artificial intelligence, data systems and digital platforms are reshaping governance and society, but warned that integrity must remain the guiding principle.

According to her, the conference was built around three objectives — Alignment, Action and Activation — aimed at uniting government, academia, the private sector, civil society, faith-based organisations, the media and families in promoting ethics as a shared national responsibility.