The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) is poised to revolutionize Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts with the introduction of a new digital asset and liability declaration system.
This move is intended to replace the cumbersome paper-based process, enhance transparency, and provide stronger tools for real-time asset verification of public servants.
CCB Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, revealed the plans on Tuesday during a validation workshop in Abuja, signaling a major technological shift in the public service. Bello described the current paper system as inadequate, characterized by “forms hurriedly filled and forgotten, rarely analysed and rarely used as the powerful anti-corruption tool it was meant to be.”
The new Asset and Liability Declaration System will drastically improve oversight by allowing for the real-time verification of public officers’ assets. The system achieves this through the strategic integration with multiple national databases, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, land registries, and various financial institutions.
Bello expressed strong confidence in the system’s ability to combat illicit enrichment: “The old story must end. Will Nigeria finally have a world-class, corruption-resistant asset declaration system? My answer is a resounding yes! This system belongs to you. Its success depends on the trust and ownership of its users.”
He further explained how the technology will automatically identify undeclared holdings, leveraging the work of the CCB’s Forensic Accounting Unit. “By integrating with available databases, we will discover assets in real time. You won’t need to declare every property or company you own—the system will show it,” Bello explained.
To guarantee the long-term viability and independence of the system, Bello announced the plan to introduce a graded service fee. This fee will apply to political office holders and senior public servants, while junior staff and those facing financial hardship will be exempted.
The initiative received immediate support from the legislature. Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, praised the sustainable funding model, noting the CCB’s historic reliance on government handouts for basic operations.
Senator Imasuen stated, “I have always wondered why CCB wakes up each day seeking funds to print forms for free. It’s time we depart from this. A nominal fee will ensure the Bureau can operate independently,” while assuring the Bureau of the National Assembly’s continued support for the program.
The digital system is expected to become fully operational following validation and harmonisation sessions with stakeholders, marking a crucial upgrade in Nigeria’s efforts to curb corruption.
