The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed that only 84 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government currently operate active Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), while 92 MDAs are yet to establish any.
This was disclosed in a report presented by the Commission to the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption during a public hearing, reports The Nation.
The report further stated that by the end of 2024, 127 MDAs had ineffective ACTUs, and five others remained completely non-compliant, posing a serious challenge to the government’s anti-corruption efforts within public institutions.
Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, reaffirmed the House’s commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
Represented by Rep. Umar Ajiilo, Speaker Abbas explained that the hearing was not intended to punish any institution but to examine the effectiveness of ACTUs and support efforts to enhance their capacity and resolve in tackling corruption across MDAs.
He said, “We gather not merely as legislators but as custodians of democracy and champions of integrity. The fight against corruption remains one of the most pressing challenges facing our nation, and we must confront this menace frontally with unwavering commitment and decisive action.
“Corruption undermines our institutions, erodes public trust, and stultifies our progress as a nation. It is an affliction that affects every facet of our lives and every sector of our economy.”
The Speaker said further that the establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units in MDAs was a significant step taken to institutionalize accountability and transparency in governance.
“These units were designed not only to monitor and report corrupt practices but to also foster a culture of integrity and ethical conduct among public officials. However, the effectiveness of these units hinges upon our collective resolve to empower and support them.
“As we convene for this public hearing, we must carefully examine the operations, challenges, and successes of these units. We will hear from various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, anti-corruption advocates, and representatives from the MDAs themselves on how the journey has been so far.
“Their insights will be invaluable as we seek to understand the effectiveness of these units and explore ways to enhance their impact. This public hearing aims to assess the functionality and effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units across all MDAs, to identify their challenges and explore viable strategies for addressing the challenges.
“This public hearing is also intended to discuss potential legislative and policy measures that can strengthen these units and promote transparency and accountability in government operations. Additionally, it will foster a dialogue that engages the public, eliciting their voices and concerns regarding corruption and the measures being implemented to combat it.
“This public hearing offers us another opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability. Together, we can build a Nigeria free of corruption, where public resources are utilized for the common good and where citizens can trust government and public officials.
“Let us be guided by the larger goal of creating a more transparent and accountable government for every Nigerian citizen. Together, we can take actionable steps towards dismantling the structures that allow corruption to thrive and enthrone transparency, accountability and integrity in our governance system.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Anti Corruption, Kayode Moshood Akiolu said the public hearing was convened to address a critical issue that resonates at the heart of our democratic ideals—the effectiveness and integrity of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) within our Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
He said the federal government through the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation obtained in 2001 and 2003, created the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) which are present in well over 400 MDAs.
He said, “The ICPC set up ACTUs in MDAs as one of its many strategies to tackle corruption in the public service by co-opting staff of MDAs into the anticorruption fight. This is based on the well-founded belief that people who work directly in the MDAs have a better understanding of and capacity to identify causes and agents of corruption in their domains.
“The units have a mandate to contribute to national efforts to tackle corruption by monitoring, reporting, and preventing corrupt practices. Through this mechanism, the ICPC has been able to replicate itself and make its impact felt across the length and breadth of the country without the need to increase its staff strength to levels that cannot be sustained by its budget. This is brilliant! The ACTUs were relevant in 2001; twenty-four years later, they are no less relevant.
“As representatives of the Nigerian people, it is our foremost duty to ensure that public resources are managed with the utmost care and that the trust bestowed upon us is not compromised.
“The establishment of ACTUs was, in itself, a significant step forward in our continuous fight against corruption. These units were mandated to champion the cause of transparency, to conduct vigilant oversight, and to foster a culture of integrity within public service. However, the question we now must address is the extent to which these units have been successful in their mission.
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed various allegations and reports concerning the operations, effectiveness, and sometimes the efficacy of these units. While we recognize the challenges posed by the insidious nature of corruption, we must also confront the realities that not all actions taken in the name of anti-corruption have been entirely above board.
“It is paramount that we investigate and assess whether these units are truly fulfilling their mandates or if they have, regrettably, become enmeshed in the very practices they were created to eradicate.
“As we embark on this investigation, we must examine not only the successes and achievements of the ACTUs but also the shortcomings and failures that may have emerged over time.
“This hearing serves as a platform for open dialogue, where we invite insights from various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, anti-corruption activists, government officials, and the general public”.
“We are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that our government does not merely pay lip service to the ideals of anti-corruption but actively cultivates an environment where accountability thrives. We must restore faith in our institutions and demonstrate, unequivocally, that there is no tolerance for corruption, whether from within or outside.”
