In a bid to wipe out corruption in the region, Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, has called on member countries of the regional body to, as a matter of necessity, ratify and fully implement the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption.
President Tinubu represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima at the the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) which held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja on Monday urged ECOWAS member states to take action by implementing the anti-graft protocol, noted that the region’s future hinges on its capacity to build governance structures that are not just transparent, accountable, and efficient.
Our correspondent, Raliat Adenekan reports that the Nigerian leader reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to NACIWA’s success, as well as announced Nigeria’s donation of an office building for the permanent headquarters of NACIWA in the country.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, noted that there is an urgent need for regional and global cooperation in the battle against corruption, describing it as a cancer that threatens Africa’s stability and development.
Ambassador Tuggar also highlighted the alarming scale of financial loss due to corruption, pointing to UN estimates that Africa loses $88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows—funds that could have been used for essential public services like schools and hospitals.
Similarly, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), emphasised the crucial role of collaborative efforts in the fight against corruption. He noted that “the fight against corruption is not just a matter of institutional duty, but a crucial step towards securing a better future for all nations.
On his part, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, implored regional anti-corruption bodies to adapt their strategies to evolving threats. According to Olukoyede, corruption continues to evolve, adopting new forms and exploiting technological advancements.
Also, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, emphasized that the fight against corruption is a long-term struggle requiring unwavering commitment. He called for full adherence to the 2021 ECOWAS protocol on anti-corruption and recommended the use of digital tools to enhance the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures.
The representative of the ECOWAS President, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, outlined the strides made by ECOWAS in collaboration with national anti-corruption agencies to include implementing policies that promote transparency and good governance. He, however, acknowledged that there is still considerable work to be done as corruption remains one of the most significant challenges facing African nations.
