ICPC Reiterates Commitment to Accountability, Justice Reform, Youth Reorientation
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reiterated its unwavering commitment to strengthening accountability, reforming Nigeria’s criminal justice system, and promoting value reorientation among young citizens as part of its broader strategy to entrench integrity and good governance in the country.
The assurance was given by the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by Mr. John Okor Odey, Deputy Director and Head of the Education Division, Public Enlightenment and Education Department of the Commission, during the Nigeria Accountability Summit (NAS) 2025, held in Abuja.
Themed “Strengthening Accountability for Inclusive Economic Growth,” the summit was jointly organized by Step Up Nigeria, Accountability Lab, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Speaking as a panelist at the session titled “Strengthening Social Sanctions to Promote Integrity in Public Administration for Inclusive Growth,” Mr. Odey emphasized that accountability is the cornerstone of sustainable development. He noted that a fast-tracked and efficient criminal justice system is crucial in building public confidence in the fight against corruption.
He further explained that transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the justice process are vital in deterring corruption, ensuring equality before the law, and restoring citizens’ trust in governance.
Highlighting the Commission’s ongoing initiatives, Odey said the ICPC continues to strengthen institutional integrity in the public sector through inter-agency collaboration, systems review, and policy advocacy aimed at promoting efficiency, fairness, and transparency in public administration and service delivery.
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He stressed that “the fight against corruption cannot succeed without reforming processes in law enforcement, investigation, prosecution, and community engagement.”
Addressing the issue of value reorientation, Odey underscored the Commission’s focus on youth engagement through the establishment of Students Anti-Corruption Clubs and Students Anti-Corruption Vanguard across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions nationwide. According to him, cultivating integrity among young Nigerians is vital to nurturing a generation of responsible and accountable leaders.
Odey commended the summit organizers for creating a platform that promotes collaboration and innovation in governance, noting that such partnerships align with ICPC’s preventive mandate to advance transparency, ethics, and good governance across public institutions.
He also clarified that the ICPC operates with full independence, emphasizing that there has been no evidence of government interference in the Commission’s work. He called for stronger collaboration among anti-corruption agencies, the judiciary, civil society, and the private sector to build an accountable society founded on justice, youth empowerment, and inclusive growth.
Other panelists at the session included Mr. Atolagbe Aramide (Code of Conduct Bureau), Barr. Anthony Bamidele Ojo (Chairman, NBA Garki Branch), Dr. Femi Ajayi (UNODC), Mr. Jonathan Otene (Teacher, BJ Schools), and Mr. Ezegbuam Philip (Integrity Icon).
The discussion was moderated by Ms. Feranmi Iyanda, Director of Programmes at Step Up Nigeria.
The Nigeria Accountability Summit 2025 concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders across government, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen accountability mechanisms, enhance social sanctions, and consolidate ongoing reforms toward transparency, justice, and sustainable national development.
The annual summit serves as a platform for stakeholders to evaluate progress in governance reforms and to explore innovative approaches for promoting accountability and inclusive economic growth.
By PRNigeria
