The House of Representatives has called for a major funding overhaul for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), citing the agency’s strong performance despite limited financial support.
This position was made known on Friday during the ICPC’s defence of its 2026 budget proposal before the House Committee on Anti-Corruption. Lawmakers commended the Commission for its significant recoveries and convictions, even under what they described as severe financial constraints.
In a statement issued by the ICPC Spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, members of the committee questioned the rationale behind underfunding an agency with a statutory mandate to combat corruption. They warned that inadequate funding could undermine the safety and operational integrity of personnel handling sensitive cases across the country.
Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Kayode Akiolu, praised the ICPC for its professionalism and adherence to international best practices in anti-corruption enforcement. He also commended the leadership of the Commission for maintaining strong institutional standards and commitment to purposeful law enforcement.
Similarly, Hon. Abdulmaleek Abdulraheem, representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency in Kogi State, highlighted the agency’s impressive return on investment.
According to him, the Commission received only N2.8 billion in 2025 but recovered N33.16 billion and $1.8 million, alongside numerous convictions.
He noted that some agencies with larger allocations fail to generate similar value for the Federal Government. He urged the committee to ensure that any deductions from the ICPC’s 2026 budget are restored and that the Commission’s allocation does not fall below its 2025 funding level.
Abdulraheem also warned that persistent underfunding could expose the agency to undue pressure and compromise, as resource shortages create vulnerabilities within critical anti-corruption institutions.
Other lawmakers echoed this concern and proposed an amendment that would allow the ICPC to retain a percentage of recovered funds to support its operations. Dr. Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi, representing Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency, said such an arrangement would improve efficiency and reduce dependence on unpredictable budget releases.
Earlier in his presentation, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, appealed to the National Assembly to facilitate improved funding for the Commission to effectively discharge its mandate.
He disclosed that in 2025, only N2.1 billion of the N7.82 billion approved for overhead was released, representing about 28 per cent. He explained that this situation forced investigators and lawyers to use personal funds for investigations and court appearances due to lack of operational vehicles and resources.
He further stated that several investigations were delayed, while the Commission also struggled to pay service providers, especially for rented state offices.
For capital expenditure, the Commission received only N400.49 million out of the N7.3 billion approved, representing about five per cent. The funds were released in late November 2025, limiting the Commission’s ability to execute projects or comply fully with procurement procedures.
Despite these challenges, the ICPC recorded major achievements, including recovery of over N33 billion and $1.8 million in cash, alongside the seizure of assets. The Commission also filed 72 cases, secured 36 convictions, and is prosecututing about 400 cases across courts nationwide.
In addition, the ICPC received 1,107 petitions, assigned 700 for investigation, and concluded 150 inquiries. The Commission also deployed Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecards across 344 Ministries, Departments and Agencies and inaugurated 131 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units nationwide.
Dr. Aliyu expressed concern over the proposed 2026 budget, noting that the Commission’s N25.8 billion proposal was reduced, with N4.7 billion cut from overhead and N2.2 billion from capital expenditure. He warned that the cuts could negatively affect operations.
He, however, assured lawmakers of the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public funds if its budget is improved.
The ICPC had earlier defended its 2026 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, where assurances were given that efforts would be made to engage the Senate Committee on Appropriation to enhance the Commission’s funding.
