By RhemDy News
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called on universities across Africa to raise a generation that values honesty, accountability and patriotism.
He noted these attributes as a sustainable strategy for eradicating corruption and fostering national development.
According to a statement on Thursday by
ICPC's Spokesperson/Head, Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, Aliyu made call at the commemoration of the 2026 African Union Anti-Corruption Day at the Conference Hall of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme: "Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa," Aliyu, who was represented by the Director, Public Education Department of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Demola Bakare, described the choice of this year's theme as timely and strategic
He noted that corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Africa's socio-economic transformation, democratic governance, peace and sustainable development.
The ICPC chairman further maintained that corruption weakens public institutions, diverts scarce resources meant for development, discourages investment, widens inequality and erodes citizens' confidence in government.
According to Aliyu, addressing these challenges requires more than enforcement to continental commitment to building strong institutions, nurturing ethical leadership and promoting a culture of integrity among citizens.
The ICPC chairman stressed that as Africa pursues the aspirations of Agenda 2063, promotion of integrity must become a shared responsibility involving governments, educational institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector, faith-based organisations, the media and citizens.
He emphasised that institutions must strengthen internal accountability mechanisms, while individuals should demonstrate integrity through their daily decisions and actions.
Aliyu urged participants to use the occasion to renew their commitment to ethical conduct, transparency and accountability in both public and private life.
He also called for a shift from dialogue to concrete actions that will strengthen institutions, safeguard public resources and build a society where corruption is rejected and integrity is celebrated.
Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology Innovation and Research, Professor Christine Ofulue, said corruption posed a serious threat to the stability and development of Africa.
She noted that given Nigeria's demographic and economic importance on the continent, the country's success or failure in combating corruption has far-reaching implications for Africa.
According to her, corruption fuels insecurity, weakens governance, hampers economic development and diminishes citizens' confidence in public institutions.
Prof Uduma further stated that the fight against corruption cannot be left to governments alone, stressing that educational institutions, professional bodies, the private sector, civil society organisations, the media, religious institutions and individual citizens all have critical roles to play in building a society where integrity is cherished and corruption is rejected.
He added that as Nigeria's foremost Open and Distance Learning institution, NOUN is committed to producing not only academically excellent graduates but also responsible citizens who embody honesty, accountability and a commitment to public service.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU) of NOUN, Mrs. Doris C-L. Nzenwa, described corruption as "the mother of all evils".
She stated that corruption was responsible for insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, economic backwardness, a skewed reward system, hunger and avoidable deaths.
She emphasised that the fight against corruption is not an exercise in entertainment but a collective struggle to secure the future of society.
Nzenwa further stated that if the fight against corruption will achieve the desired impact, every segment of society in Africa and worldwide must be mobilised to join the campaign.
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