The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on state governments to intensify their fight against corruption, stressing that integrity and accountability must be entrenched at the grassroots for Nigeria to progress.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja at a one-day roundtable themed “Partnership for Strengthening Transparency at the State and Local Government Levels through Strategic Communication.” The event brought together commissioners of information, lawmakers, media professionals, and civil society representatives.
Aliyu noted that while the Federal Government has made significant strides in tackling corruption, the “real battleground” lies at the state and local government levels where resources are most prone to leakages and citizens are directly impacted.
“Corruption remains a defining challenge for Nigeria. When resources are not properly utilised, the farmer is left without roads, the child without books, and the sick without healthcare,” he said.
He urged commissioners of information nationwide to deploy strategic communication as a tool to drive transparency, accountability, and ethical change across communities.
Aliyu also highlighted ongoing ICPC initiatives, including the Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative, System Studies and Reviews, and the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, describing them as preventive measures to strengthen service delivery and citizen engagement.
“These interventions directly support the National Anti-Corruption Strategy by reinforcing values that prevent corruption and encouraging citizens to hold leaders accountable,” he added.
The ICPC chairman further called for collaboration between the commission, state information commissioners, and the media to mainstream accountability messages and embed anti-corruption values into governance structures.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu—represented by the Director of Special Duty and Zonal Coordination, Mr. David Akoji—reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with ICPC.
He warned that unchecked corruption at the state level could fuel economic instability, weaken public services, deepen inequality, and erode trust in governance.
“To effectively combat corruption, we must strengthen anti-corruption institutions, promote accountability, and foster a culture of integrity,” Issa-Onilu said. “By addressing corruption at the state level, Nigeria can unlock development potential, improve service delivery, and restore confidence in government.”
