ICPC Calls for Tech-Driven Anti-Corruption Strategies to Tackle Digital Crimes
By Chizoba Njaka
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called for the adoption of innovative, technology-driven approaches to combating corruption, stressing that anti-corruption efforts must evolve to effectively address increasingly sophisticated digital crimes. This was highlighted at the IFEPS/ICPC Stakeholders Conference held at the Commission's headquarters in Abuja.
According to a press release issued on July 16 by the ICPC Spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr. Demola Bakare, the conference, themed "Securing Tomorrow: Ethics at the Frontier of Innovation," brought together government officials, policymakers, academics, civil society organisations and private sector stakeholders to explore ways of strengthening ethics, transparency and accountability in the digital age.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Clifford Okwudili Oparaodu, Dr. Aliyu said corruption has become more sophisticated, technology-enabled and fast-evolving, making it imperative for ethical standards and anti-corruption strategies to keep pace with emerging trends. He noted that conventional methods alone can no longer effectively address modern corruption, declaring, "We cannot fight 21st century corruption with 20th century tools."
To strengthen integrity and ethical values nationwide, Dr. Aliyu outlined three flagship initiatives: the C-H-I-L-D-R-E-N Values Initiative, designed to instil honesty, discipline and integrity in young people; the Citizens Digital Responsibility Initiative (CDRI), which promotes responsible online behaviour while combating cybercrime, misinformation and digital fraud; and the Ethics Endowment Fund (EEF), established to provide sustainable funding for ethics education and integrity-building programmes across the country.
He maintained that while law enforcement remains indispensable in the fight against corruption, cultivating a strong culture of integrity is equally vital to achieving lasting success.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of the Institute for Ethics and Professional Studies (IFEPS), Dr. (Mrs.) Uyim Akpabio, stressed that ethical principles must remain central to technological advancement.
She commended the ICPC for championing the National Values Curriculum and the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, while encouraging participants, particularly children and young people, to uphold ethical values in their schools, workplaces and communities.
Representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), in separate goodwill messages, emphasised that technological innovation must be complemented by integrity, transparency and accountability to strengthen governance and public trust.
The conference also featured the unveiling of three flagship ethics initiatives jointly developed by IFEPS and the ICPC. Organisers described the event as a timely platform for promoting responsible digital citizenship, advancing ethical leadership and reinforcing Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts.