The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), and representatives of Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have called for stronger cross-border cooperation, shared learning, and evidence-based strategies in Africa’s fight against corruption.
The call was made during the maiden edition of the International Diplomatic Dialogue held at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, where anti-corruption stakeholders from across Africa gathered to exchange ideas and best practices.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Aliyu stressed that no African country could successfully tackle corruption in isolation, noting that the menace continues to undermine sustainable development, economic growth, social justice, and public confidence in institutions.
He described the dialogue as a platform for international engagement and collaborative learning aimed at strengthening anti-corruption frameworks across the continent.
“Continuous engagement and learning from successful international models will be crucial in shaping robust anti-corruption frameworks,” Aliyu said, while commending Kenya’s anti-corruption efforts and urging participants to share experiences and practical solutions.
The ICPC chairman also praised the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), led by Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, for organizing the event and expressed optimism that similar engagements would be expanded to other countries.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Ibrahim said Kenya was selected for the inaugural dialogue because of its notable achievements in combating corruption, including significant asset recoveries and the deployment of digital governance systems that have reduced opportunities for bribery.
Delivering the keynote address, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Isaac Keen Parashina, highlighted the evolution of Kenya’s anti-corruption architecture, attributing major reforms to the country’s 2010 Constitution, which institutionalized integrity, transparency, and accountability as national values.
He outlined the roles of key institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), noting that legislative reforms and specialized anti-corruption courts have strengthened accountability and enhanced asset recovery efforts.
Ambassador Parashina also emphasized the role of technology in promoting transparency, citing initiatives such as the e-Citizen Portal, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), and electronic procurement platforms that have reduced human contact in public service delivery and improved oversight of government spending.
While acknowledging challenges such as cyber-enabled corruption and delays in the judicial process, he called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and Kenya in areas including asset recovery, financial intelligence, and capacity building.
Also speaking at the event, Sierra Leone’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Major General Dauda Alfa, described corruption as a major contributor to insecurity and poor public service delivery. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s asset declaration policy as a key anti-corruption measure and expressed confidence that the dialogue would generate practical solutions for addressing corruption across Africa.
The participants agreed that stronger institutions, technological innovation, and sustained international cooperation remain essential for advancing transparency, accountability, and good governance on the continent.
