ICPC, CODE OF CONDUCT TRIBUNAL CALL FOR STRONGER INTEGRITY AS 100 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS RECEIVE RECOGNITION
By Iroyin Yoruba Television
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Code of Conduct Tribunal have called for stronger ethics, transparency and accountability across Nigeria's public service, arguing that the fight against corruption must go beyond prosecution and focus increasingly on building institutions where integrity becomes part of everyday decision-making.
The call was made on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a public-service integrity event in Abuja organised by Verbatim Magazine in partnership with the ICPC.
The event featured the presentation of the "100 Pillars of Integrity in Public Service Award", which recognised 100 ministries, departments and agencies and their chief executives for what organisers described as commitment to integrity and ethical compliance.
Representing ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu at the event, Kupolati Kayode said prosecution remained necessary in the fight against corruption but could not, by itself, create the type of society Nigeria seeks to build.
He said a sustainable response to corruption requires the development of a culture in which public officials follow rules even when there is no immediate external pressure to do so.
The emphasis on institutional culture represents an important dimension of anti-corruption work.
Criminal prosecution generally begins after an alleged offence has occurred.
An integrity-based system attempts to reduce the likelihood of misconduct occurring in the first place by establishing clear standards, controls and expectations within public institutions.
The ICPC representative said public institutions should operate in ways that make compliance with rules part of normal administrative practice rather than something officials observe only when they expect scrutiny.
This approach places attention on the systems within ministries, departments and agencies.
A public institution may have laws, regulations and financial controls on paper, but their effectiveness depends on whether officials actually follow them.
Where rules are routinely bypassed, the existence of formal regulations may provide little protection against misconduct.
Where rules are consistently applied, however, they can help reduce opportunities for corruption and other forms of abuse.
The ICPC said integrity should therefore be viewed as a foundation of institutional strength.
The commission linked ethical conduct to the performance of public institutions, arguing that agencies become more effective when decisions are made according to established procedures rather than personal relationships or unofficial influence.
One area specifically mentioned was public procurement.
The commission said contracts should be awarded on the basis of competence rather than connections.
Procurement is a major area of public financial activity because governments purchase goods, services and construction work through contracts involving public resources.
The process can therefore have significant consequences for the value citizens receive from government spending.
When procurement procedures are transparent and competitive, government institutions can assess suppliers and contractors using established criteria.
When decisions are influenced by personal connections rather than the requirements of a contract, the process can become vulnerable to abuse.
The ICPC's emphasis on procurement integrity therefore connects directly to public-sector accountability.
It also has implications for the quality and cost of government projects.
If contracts are awarded according to appropriate procedures, government institutions can evaluate whether bidders have the capacity, experience and resources required to complete the work.
If those standards are ignored, the government may face delays, poor-quality work or additional costs.
The commission's message is that integrity should operate throughout the procurement process rather than only after allegations arise.
That includes planning, tendering, evaluation, contract award, implementation, payment and monitoring.
Public institutions also need documentation that allows decisions to be reviewed.
Clear records can help auditors, oversight bodies and investigators establish what happened if questions later arise.
The call for stronger integrity therefore involves both individual behaviour and institutional systems.
Public officials have responsibilities, but institutions also need procedures that reduce opportunities for misconduct.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal representative at the event similarly emphasised that public office is a position of trust.
Public officers exercise authority and manage resources on behalf of the Nigerian people.
The authority attached to public office therefore comes with responsibilities concerning honesty, impartiality, transparency and accountability.
The representative said resources entrusted to public institutions should be treated as resources held for the benefit of Nigerians.
That principle is central to public accountability.
Government funds are not personal property.
They are allocated for public purposes through budgets, appropriations and other lawful mechanisms.
Officials responsible for those resources are expected to use them according to the applicable rules.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal's involvement in the event also brought attention to standards governing public officers.
The Tribunal has a constitutional role relating to breaches of the Code of Conduct for public officers.
Its representative said integrity should not be treated as a one-time achievement.
Institutions recognised for ethical conduct must continue to maintain those standards after receiving awards.
The award, therefore, was presented not simply as an acknowledgement of past performance but as an encouragement for continued compliance.
That point is significant because integrity programmes can lose their value if they become symbolic events without sustained institutional practice.
Recognition can encourage positive behaviour, but systems must continue to function after ceremonies end.
Rules must remain in place.
Internal controls must continue to operate.
Officials must remain accountable.
Complaints must be assessed.
Audits must be conducted.
Where misconduct is identified, appropriate procedures must follow.
The ICPC also called for greater public education on corruption.
The commission said responsibility for promoting integrity should not be left entirely to anti-corruption agencies.
It pointed to initiatives such as the National Ethics and Integrity Policy and integrity-related programmes in schools as examples of efforts intended to strengthen ethical values.
The involvement of schools reflects the long-term nature of integrity education.
Attitudes toward honesty, responsibility and public resources can develop over many years.
Teaching young people that corruption has consequences for society can form part of a broader effort to influence future conduct.
The commission also urged parents to teach children the value of honest work.
The message places responsibility for ethical development at several levels: government, schools, families, religious institutions, the media and wider society.
This approach recognises that corruption is not exclusively an institutional problem.
It can also involve social attitudes toward wealth, influence and success.
The ICPC specifically urged the media to avoid glorifying questionable wealth without examining its source.
The media plays an important role in shaping public discussion about wealth and public life.
When unexplained wealth is presented only as a symbol of success, questions about how the wealth was acquired may receive less attention.
Responsible journalism can provide context by examining documented facts and asking how public resources, contracts or financial transactions are connected to individuals and institutions.
The commission's appeal does not mean that every wealthy person should be treated as suspicious.
Wealth itself is not evidence of corruption.
The relevant issue is whether there is credible information indicating that wealth may have been acquired through unlawful means.
That distinction is important for responsible anti-corruption reporting.
The ICPC also encouraged religious institutions to promote integrity.
Religious organisations have significant community reach in Nigeria.
They can use sermons, educational programmes and community activities to encourage honesty and responsible conduct.
At the same time, religious institutions themselves manage financial resources and therefore also require appropriate financial governance.
Transparency in the management of donations and other institutional funds can help maintain public trust.
The wider message from the event was that integrity must be applied consistently.
An individual cannot reasonably demand accountability from others while ignoring ethical standards within their own institution.
For public agencies, that means establishing systems that can withstand scrutiny.
The ICPC representative described strong institutions as systems that continue to work even when no one is watching.
That concept places emphasis on internal controls.
An effective internal-control system can identify errors or irregularities before they become larger problems.
It can require approvals for significant transactions.
It can separate financial responsibilities among different officers.
It can provide mechanisms for reporting suspected misconduct.
It can also ensure that records are maintained.
These measures do not eliminate corruption, but they can reduce opportunities for abuse.
The same principle applies to government procurement.
Clear procedures can make it more difficult for individuals to manipulate contract awards.
Transparent documentation can make decisions easier to review.
Independent oversight can identify irregularities.
Where necessary, enforcement agencies can investigate evidence of criminal conduct.
The anti-corruption framework therefore involves multiple layers.
The ICPC and EFCC have enforcement and prevention responsibilities under their respective mandates.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal deals with matters within its constitutional jurisdiction.
Auditors examine financial records.
Legislative institutions conduct oversight.
Public servants implement government programmes.
Civil society and the media provide additional scrutiny.
Citizens ultimately depend on public institutions to deliver services.
The event's recognition of 100 ministries, departments and agencies therefore provides an opportunity to focus on positive examples of public administration.
The organisers said the recognised institutions and their chief executives had demonstrated commitment to integrity and ethical compliance.
The identities and performance of individual recipients were not presented as proof that every aspect of their operations is beyond scrutiny.
Rather, the recognition was intended to encourage ethical standards.
Institutions remain subject to applicable laws, audits and oversight regardless of whether they receive awards.
An integrity award should therefore be viewed as recognition accompanied by an expectation of continued compliance.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal representative urged recipients to sustain the standards for which they were recognised.
That emphasis on continuity is important because institutional integrity cannot be established through a single action.
It requires repeated decisions over time.
A procurement officer must continue to follow procurement rules.
A financial officer must continue to maintain accurate records.
A senior official must continue to declare relevant interests as required by law.
An agency must continue to apply its procedures consistently.
The culture of an institution is built through those repeated decisions.
The ICPC also connected institutional integrity with economic performance.
The commission argued that institutions operating according to clear rules can reduce the cost of doing business and create conditions that support investment.
This connection is particularly relevant to businesses that interact with government agencies.
Businesses need predictable procedures when applying for licences, paying fees, participating in procurement and complying with regulations.
If decisions depend on unofficial payments or personal relationships, businesses may face additional costs and uncertainty.
Transparent procedures can reduce those risks.
For public institutions, that means ensuring that rules are applied consistently.
The commission's message therefore extends beyond traditional anti-corruption enforcement.
It concerns the quality of government administration itself.
An institution that processes applications efficiently and transparently can provide better service without requiring citizens to rely on personal connections.
An institution where rules are unclear or inconsistently applied can create opportunities for unofficial influence.
The ICPC's call for stronger integrity is intended to address those vulnerabilities.
The event also involved representatives of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Institute for Agricultural Research.
The NDIC was among the institutions recognised.
Its representative said the corporation plays a role in the financial system by providing deposit insurance and reimbursing depositors in cases of bank failure.
The representative also noted its collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria in supporting sound banking practices and prudential standards.
Although the NDIC's primary responsibilities are not the same as those of an anti-corruption agency, financial-sector integrity is relevant to the wider governance environment.
Financial institutions rely on rules, controls and oversight to maintain confidence.
Weak controls can create risks for depositors and the wider economy.
The recognition of the NDIC at the event therefore reflected the organisers' broader focus on institutional integrity.
The Institute for Agricultural Research was also recognised.
Its executive director, Professor Ado Yusuf, highlighted the institute's contribution to agricultural research and the development of crops including cowpea, cotton, groundnut, castor and sorghum.
He also discussed research into a shorter sorghum variety that can reduce the ability of criminal elements to hide within farms.
The example illustrates how public institutions can have responsibilities that extend beyond their immediate administrative mandates.
Research institutions can contribute to food security and, in some circumstances, to community safety.
Their effectiveness depends partly on maintaining professional and ethical standards.
The recognition event therefore brought together institutions operating in different sectors but sharing a common emphasis on public responsibility.
The organisers said the media should continue to hold government officials accountable while also recognising integrity in government business.
That position highlights the dual role of public-interest journalism.
Journalists investigate allegations and scrutinise government activity, but they can also report documented examples of effective public administration.
Recognising ethical conduct does not eliminate the need for continued scrutiny.
Rather, it can show that public institutions can operate according to established standards.
The broader challenge is ensuring that positive examples are not isolated.
Integrity needs to become routine across the public service.
The ICPC's call for a culture of integrity therefore raises questions about how institutions recruit, train and evaluate public servants.
Ethical standards need to be incorporated into institutional processes.
Employees need to understand their obligations.
Managers need to model compliance.
Complaints mechanisms need to function.
Violations need to receive appropriate responses.
Rewards and recognition can encourage good conduct, while disciplinary systems can address misconduct.
A balanced system needs both.
Prevention is particularly important because enforcement after corruption occurs can be expensive.
When public funds have already been diverted, recovering them may be difficult.
When a procurement process has already been manipulated, correcting the resulting contract may require lengthy administrative or legal action.
Strong controls at the beginning of a process can reduce those risks.
This is why the ICPC has placed emphasis on prevention as well as prosecution.
The commission's approach also requires public participation.
Citizens who encounter suspected misconduct can report concerns.
However, complaints should be based on facts and handled through appropriate channels.
An allegation is not the same as proof.
This distinction is particularly important in a system where reputations can be damaged by unverified accusations.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal and ICPC representatives both emphasised institutional responsibility and lawful procedures.
The public service needs systems that encourage accountability without creating arbitrary accusations.
That balance is necessary to maintain confidence in anti-corruption institutions.
The event also provided an opportunity to discuss the role of individual character.
The ICPC representative said a nation's institutions are ultimately influenced by the people operating them.
Formal rules can provide structure, but officials still make decisions.
If officials choose to bypass procedures, manipulate records or favour personal interests, institutional controls can be weakened.
Conversely, officials who consistently follow rules can strengthen public confidence.
This makes ethical leadership important.
Senior officials set expectations for employees through their own conduct.
If senior management demonstrates respect for procedures, employees receive a clear message about institutional priorities.
If leaders disregard rules, lower-level officials may conclude that compliance is optional.
The call for integrity therefore applies across levels of public administration.
It is not limited to junior employees.
Senior executives, political appointees, career civil servants and other public officers all have responsibilities within their respective roles.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal representative described public office as a position of trust.
That principle applies regardless of rank.
Public resources remain public resources whether they are managed by a large ministry or a small local office.
The same applies to authority.
A public officer entrusted with decision-making powers is expected to use those powers according to law and applicable standards.
The event's recognition of 100 institutions may therefore serve as a reminder that ethical administration is a continuous responsibility.
The recipients have been encouraged to maintain their standards rather than treat the award as an endpoint.
For the ICPC, the broader objective is to make integrity part of Nigeria's institutional culture.
That objective cannot be achieved by a single agency.
It requires cooperation among government institutions, oversight bodies, professional organisations, civil society, the media, schools, families and individual citizens.
Each has a different role.
Government institutions establish and implement procedures.
Oversight bodies examine compliance.
Anti-corruption agencies investigate and prosecute where appropriate.
Schools and families contribute to ethical education.
Religious and traditional institutions influence community attitudes.
The media provides information and scrutiny.
Citizens participate through lawful reporting and public engagement.
The combined effect can be stronger than any single intervention.
The call for greater integrity also comes at a time when Nigeria is pursuing economic reforms and seeking to improve public-sector efficiency.
Transparent institutions can support those efforts by reducing uncertainty and improving confidence in government processes.
Businesses need to know that contracts are awarded according to clear criteria.
Citizens need confidence that public funds are managed responsibly.
Investors need predictable regulatory environments.
Public servants need clear rules and protections for making lawful decisions.
All of these elements are connected to institutional integrity.
The ICPC therefore linked ethical conduct to national development rather than treating it solely as a criminal-justice issue.
That broader framing is significant.
Corruption can affect public spending, service delivery, investment and institutional trust.
Preventing misconduct can therefore have consequences beyond individual cases.
At the same time, claims about economic effects need to be supported by evidence rather than assumptions.
The commission's argument is that stronger institutions and lower opportunities for misconduct can contribute to a more efficient public sector.
The practical test will be how institutions implement those principles.
The event's emphasis on public education also recognises that laws alone may not be sufficient.
Citizens need to understand what corruption looks like, how it affects society and where to report it.
Public servants need to understand their responsibilities.
Young people need to learn the value of ethical conduct.
Religious and community leaders can reinforce those messages.
The media can provide factual information about corruption cases and prevention efforts.
This creates an environment in which integrity becomes a shared public concern.
The recognition of 100 public institutions provides one example of how positive institutional behaviour can be acknowledged.
However, continued monitoring remains necessary.
Institutions should be assessed based on their actual practices rather than awards alone.
Public trust is built through consistent performance.
A single recognition cannot substitute for transparent procurement, accurate accounting, responsible leadership and lawful conduct.
The ICPC's message effectively acknowledges this by urging award recipients to sustain the standards that earned them recognition.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal made a similar point by describing integrity as an ongoing institutional culture.
That is perhaps the central message from the Abuja event.
Anti-corruption work is not limited to identifying and punishing offenders.
It also involves creating systems in which misconduct is harder to commit and ethical conduct is easier to sustain.
That requires procedures, education, oversight and leadership.
It also requires citizens to understand their role.
The ICPC has encouraged Nigerians to become active participants in accountability by refusing to compromise, following rules, speaking truthfully and demanding responsible government.
Such participation should remain lawful and evidence-based.
Citizens should not take enforcement into their own hands.
Suspected offences should be reported to competent authorities.
Institutions should then assess the information and take appropriate action.
The event therefore presented integrity as a shared responsibility.
The ICPC and CCT emphasised the role of public institutions.
The media was urged to strengthen accountability.
Religious organisations and parents were asked to promote ethical values.
Public servants were encouraged to follow rules.
Citizens were asked to demand accountability.
These responsibilities overlap but do not replace one another.
Each part of society has a different contribution to make.
The success of the approach will depend on whether those principles are reflected in daily practice.
For Nigeria's public service, that means decisions based on law and established procedures.
It means contracts awarded according to appropriate criteria.
It means public resources managed for public purposes.
It means officials exercising authority impartially.
It means institutions maintaining records that can withstand scrutiny.
It means complaints being taken seriously and investigated according to law.
And it means recognising that integrity is not a one-day event.
The October 2 gathering in Abuja has placed that principle at the centre of public discussion.
The 100 institutions recognised at the event have been encouraged to continue the standards for which they were honoured.
The ICPC has called for stronger public education and broader participation.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal has emphasised the trust attached to public office.
Together, the messages underline a preventive approach to corruption that complements investigation and prosecution.
Nigeria's anti-corruption framework will continue to involve enforcement agencies, courts and oversight institutions.
But the strength of that framework also depends on the everyday behaviour of public servants and the systems within which they work.
The call from the ICPC and CCT is therefore for integrity to become embedded in those systems rather than treated as an occasional campaign.
If public institutions consistently follow transparent procedures, document decisions and hold officials accountable, citizens have a clearer basis for trusting government services.
If misconduct is identified, established legal mechanisms can then be used to investigate and address it.
The event's central message is that a stronger public service requires both enforcement against wrongdoing and a culture that discourages wrongdoing before it occurs.
That responsibility extends across government and society.
The ICPC's latest appeal has therefore placed ethics, accountability and integrity at the centre of Nigeria's continuing anti-corruption conversation, while the recognition of 100 public institutions provides a platform for encouraging those standards to become sustained features of public administration.