In a significant development in the fight against corruption, Musa Aliyu, chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has disclosed that 70 percent of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused to comply.
Aliyu made this revelation on Monday in Kano during an ICPC roundtable with state attorneys-general in the north-west on strengthening the commission’s capacity for corruption prevention.
According to Aliyu, the ‘2023 corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and trends report’ by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed significant bribery prevalence in the north-west region and trends across Nigeria. “Bribery is most common in public utilities, law enforcement, and administrative services,” he noted.
Despite the challenges posed by corruption, Aliyu emphasized the positive news that 70 percent of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused to comply on at least one occasion.
In the north-west, 76 percent of individuals who encountered bribery requests resisted—the highest refusal rate among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, indicating growing resistance to bribery in the region.
“However, despite these challenges, the positive news is that 70 percent of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused to comply on at least one occasion.”
“In the north-west, 76 percent of individuals who encountered bribery requests resisted—the highest refusal rate among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, indicating growing resistance to bribery in the region.”
Aliyu stressed that the state and federal governments have shared responsibility in tackling corruption.
“In this regard, I call on the attorneys-general of the north-west to collaborate closely with ICPC to fortify systems of accountability and transparency that serve the people,” Aliyu said.
“Under section 6 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act, ICPC is empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption across all sectors of public service, but your support and the local knowledge you bring are essential to making this effort more effective.”
The ICPC chairman also emphasized the need for continuous encouragement of the people of the north-west to resist bribery demands. “As chairman of the ICPC, I am committed to ensuring that the commission uses its law enforcement powers and preventive measures, which include enlisting and fostering public support in combating corruption in Nigeria within the confines of the law,” he said.
