The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has unveiled a remarkable development in Nigeria’s fight against corruption: in 2023, 70 percent of Nigerians approached for a bribe stood their ground and refused to comply.
The ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, shared this uplifting revelation on the 2nd of December, 2024, during a roundtable discussion with state attorneys-general from the North-West region, held in Kano.
The event was aimed at bolstering the commission’s corruption prevention strategies.
Drawing from the 2023 Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends Report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Aliyu shed light on the lingering issue of bribery in Nigeria, particularly in the north-west zone.
“Bribery is most common in public utilities, law enforcement, and administrative services,” Aliyu noted.
“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.”
The chairman emphasized that combating corruption is a shared responsibility between state and federal governments.
He called for greater collaboration to establish transparent and accountable systems while urging citizens in the north-west to continue resisting bribery demands.
Aliyu also reaffirmed the ICPC’s dedication to using its powers effectively in the fight against corruption.
He highlighted the importance of partnerships in this endeavor, referencing pillar five of Nigeria’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS II), which prioritizes collaborative efforts in addressing corruption.