ICPC Identifies Poor payment as a Major Driver of Corruption

Abuja, Nigeria  —  The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has attributed widespread corruption in Nigeria to poor wages for salary earners and a lack of integrity among public officials.

ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, made this assertion during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Northern Zone. The event, which brought together media executives from print, electronic, and digital platforms across the 19 northern states, served as a platform to discuss corruption-related challenges and the role of the media in combating financial crimes.

Highlighting the commission’s recent achievements, Dr. Aliyu revealed that the ICPC had successfully recovered ₦20 billion linked to ghost workers and pension fraud cases. He emphasized the commission’s commitment to tackling financial misconduct at all levels of governance.

Addressing the role of the press in the anti-corruption fight, Dr. Aliyu urged journalists to uphold ethical standards and verify information before publication. He called for greater media collaboration in exposing financial crimes and addressing issues such as sexual harassment in workplaces.

In response, Husseina Akila, Deputy President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Director of News at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), stressed the importance of maintaining a strong partnership between the ICPC and the media to enhance the commission’s effectiveness.

Similarly, Abdullateef Abubakar, Editor-in-Chief of Solace Base, and Gbenga Aruleba, a private television journalist, encouraged the ICPC to intensify preventive measures against the mismanagement of public funds and constituency project fraud.

Other media representatives at the meeting commended Dr. Aliyu’s leadership and renewed commitment to tackling corruption since assuming office.

The discussion reinforced the need for a multi-sectoral approach to combating corruption, with media collaboration playing a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability.

By Enoch  Odesola |February 5, 2025