Transparency Key to Nigeria’s Growth – ICPC Chair
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has declared that transparency in governance remains non-negotiable for Nigeria’s sustainable development.
Speaking at the Anti-Corruption Day event held as part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Dr. Aliyu linked Nigeria’s economic progress directly to the strength of its accountability systems.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Transparency and Development: The Nigerian Experience” through the Director of Public Education, Mr. Demola Bakare, fsi, the ICPC boss stressed that transparency is no longer an externally-driven reform agenda but a domestic necessity for national growth.
He noted that weak transparency frameworks in governance and corporate practices have historically provided fertile ground for corruption, tax evasion, and illicit financial flows, which have eroded institutional integrity and slowed development.
“Our historical experience shows that failure often stems from opaque systems, not a lack of resources,” he stated, emphasizing that countries that institutionalize open access to information and enforce strict accountability achieve more sustainable progress.
Dr. Aliyu commended the CAC for reforms aimed at strengthening corporate regulation, particularly the digitization of registration processes and advancements in beneficial ownership disclosure. He described the Commission’s role as critical to boosting investor confidence and safeguarding Nigeria’s global business reputation.
However, he cautioned that legislation alone cannot guarantee transparency. According to him, effective implementation, enforcement, and a supportive institutional culture are essential for achieving meaningful impact. He called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, expanded use of open data in policymaking, and a collective commitment to transparency by citizens and the private sector.
In his remarks, the Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of the CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, underscored the need for unity in the anti-corruption fight, describing it as a national duty that demands seamless coordination among institutions.
“No agency can succeed in isolation. We must deepen information sharing and conduct joint investigations to ensure our collective efforts translate into measurable outcomes for Nigeria,” Magaji said, reaffirming the CAC’s support for anti-corruption bodies.
The event attracted key stakeholders across governance and anti-corruption sectors and featured a panel discussion on strengthening Nigeria’s national integrity systems. In recognition of its efforts, the ICPC received an award from the CAC for its significant contributions to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria.
