A report by ICPC disclosed that 92 MDAs are yet to establish anti-corruption units, while 127 others which have are ineffective.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed that 92 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government are yet to establish their mandatory Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs).
In a report presented at an investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, the Commission further disclosed that as of December 2024, 127 MDAs had weak or ineffective ACTUs, while five others had units that exist in name only, undermining the government’s anti-corruption drive within those institutions.
Presenting the report on behalf of ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Ali, the Director of System Studies, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, noted that only 84 MDAs currently have functional ACTUs.
He attributed the poor performance of many units to factors such as inadequate funding, lack of direct reporting lines to agency leadership, interference from senior officials, insufficient political will, and institutional resistance to change.
Dr. Ali emphasized that the ICPC has developed innovative strategies to curb corruption but stressed that ACTUs must be empowered to function effectively.
He called for regular capacity-building for ACTU members, deeper stakeholder engagement, and public enlightenment to reposition the units as proactive anti-corruption mechanisms within MDAs.
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Declaring the session open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Rep. Umar Ajilo, underscored that the hearing was not a witch-hunt but a deliberate effort to strengthen institutional integrity and bolster the fight against corruption.
“We gather not merely as legislators but as custodians of democracy and champions of integrity,” Abbas said, adding: “Corruption continues to erode our institutions, diminish public trust, and stall national progress. This hearing is an opportunity to reaffirm our resolve and take decisive action.”
He stressed that ACTUs were established to detect, prevent, and report corrupt practices while promoting transparency and ethical conduct in public service. However, their success, he noted, hinges on political will and the support of institutional leadership.
“This hearing allows us to evaluate the functionality of ACTUs, engage with stakeholders, and explore legislative interventions to enhance their operations,” Abbas added. “We must dismantle the structures that enable corruption and institutionalize transparency and accountability.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Rep. Kayode Moshood Akiolu, also highlighted the significance of the hearing, describing it as pivotal to Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.
He recalled that the Federal Government, through directives in 2001 and 2003, mandated MDAs to establish ACTUs as part of a decentralized strategy championed by ICPC to curb corruption from within the civil service.
“These units were predicated on the sound principle that civil servants themselves are best positioned to identify corruption risks in their environments,” Akiolu said, adding: “Through ACTUs, ICPC has extended its anti-corruption presence to over 400 MDAs without expanding its workforce. It’s a smart innovation in public sector governance.”
However, he noted that it was time to interrogate the actual impact of these units.
“While some ACTUs have recorded commendable efforts, others have failed in their core duties, with reports of some even becoming compromised,” Akiolu observed. “This is why we must ensure ACTUs are truly effective and aligned with their mandates.”
He called for increased accountability and robust stakeholder engagement, urging civil society organizations, anti-corruption advocates, and MDAs to actively participate in reforming the ACTU framework.
“Our task is not just performance assessment but ensuring a culture of integrity permeates our institutions—not in rhetoric, but in tangible outcomes,” Akiolu asserted.
Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Dido-Jack, represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Emeka Aziwe, acknowledged the challenges ACTUs face but pointed out that some have achieved measurable successes.
He recommended that ACTUs should report directly to Permanent Secretaries and called for the formal institutionalization of ACTUs within the structures of MDAs to strengthen their authority and effectiveness.
About the ICPC
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is a government agency mandated to combat corruption in the country. Its core mandate includes the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of corrupt practices such as bribery, embezzlement, abuse of office, fraud, and related offenses.
It was established by the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and inaugurated in September 2000. Its mission is to rid Nigeria of corruption through lawful enforcement and preventive measures, aiming at fostering transparency, accountability, and integrity within public service and society at large.
