ICPC recovers over N20 billion in 2024, highlights widespread corruption at state level, and urges preventive strategies at North Central attorneys’ conference
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced the recovery of over N20 billion and various properties from corrupt individuals in 2024.
The commission’s chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, disclosed this during an interview in Ilorin, Kwara State, on the sidelines of the North-Central Conference of State Attorneys-General, held to strengthen subnational collaboration against corruption.
Themed “Strengthening Subnational Synergies for Corruption Prevention: Advancing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in Nigeria’s North Central Region,” the conference attracted key stakeholders in the legal and governance sectors.
Dr Aliyu stressed that corruption is not limited to the federal level but is also deeply rooted at state and local levels. He emphasised that prevention remains the most effective strategy.
“Prevention is more strategic and less costly. If we allow corruption to happen, it becomes very difficult to cure—especially with the slow judicial process in Nigeria. That is why prevention must be prioritised,” he said.
He added that when corruption does occur, the ICPC shifts to enforcement measures, including investigation and prosecution.
He also revealed that the commission is ensuring assets recovered from outside the continent are safeguarded from being re-looted.
“One of the strategies necessary for success in this fight is consistent reassessment, especially as criminal trends evolve and national reforms continue,” he said.
If we allow corruption to happen, it becomes very difficult to cure.
Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Abdullahi Bello, who declared the conference open, described corruption as a major barrier to Nigeria’s development.
“Corruption remains a formidable obstacle, eroding public trust, undermining governance, and impeding development,” Mr Bello said, adding that anti-corruption measures at the state level are crucial to achieving national progress.
He announced that the bureau is currently developing an online asset declaration system to improve transparency and simplify compliance for public officials.
Also speaking, Kwara State Attorney-General, Senior Sulyman, praised the ICPC’s role and pledged his state’s commitment to achieving zero tolerance for corruption.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, Hon. Kayode Akiolu, called corruption a longstanding national challenge and assured that the National Assembly remains committed to defeating it.
“Since independence, corruption has hindered Nigeria’s potential. The 10th Assembly has ensured adequate funding for anti-corruption agencies,” he said.
Senator Emmanuel Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, urged state Attorneys-General to lead the justice agenda at the subnational level, while the Kwara State Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara, stressed that the anti-corruption fight must focus on prevention rather than punishment.
“The fight against corruption should not be punitive but preventive, because it poses a threat to the rule of law,” Justice Adebara said.
Attorneys-General from Kogi, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa States were also in attendance, signalling regional commitment to the national anti-corruption strategy.
Governor Dauda Lawal has approved a 120-day Rapid Intervention Action Plan aimed at addressing systemic failures in Zamfara State’s education sector.
The Governor presided over the State Executive Council meeting on Monday at the Government House in Gusau, where key decisions were taken.
During deliberations at the 65th Council meeting, issues related to education, health, works, and other sectors were discussed and approved.
The Council endorsed a 120-day rapid intervention plan built on prior diagnostic activities conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Education Quality Assurance Agency (EQAA). The plan, presented by the overseeing Commissioner for Education, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, includes payroll audits, school mapping exercises, and infrastructure assessments. It proposes targeted, time-bound interventions across governance, infrastructure, digital transformation, teacher development, and student welfare.
The Council also approved the formation of a joint committee to immediately assess all illegal or unapproved structures built around schools in the state, with a view to relocating them and securing school environments. The committee will be led by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST).
Additionally, the Council approved a single, unified Education Sector Bill (covering Early Childhood Care Development Education to Tertiary level), to be developed in consultation with stakeholders including agencies, institutions, civil society, traditional rulers, and development partners. A draft bill will be presented to the State House of Assembly for enactment within the emergency timeframe.
The Governor further approved the transfer of non-teaching staff—such as messengers, labourers, gardeners, cooks, guards, drivers, health workers, and artisans—from the Ministry’s payroll to appropriate MDAs (CPG, MoH, Establishment) or private firms.
Among other important issues, the Council approved the composition of the Zamfara State Steering Committee on the State of Emergency on Education and authorised the Committee to constitute a Technical Working Group (TWG) and co-opt stakeholders including the NUT, UNICEF, UBEC, traditional and religious leaders, private school proprietors, and CSOs.
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