Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has issued a compelling appeal to Nigerian youth, asking them to take a firm stand against corruption, recognizing them as the country’s most vital force for driving integrity and sustainable development. This appeal was made during the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration held in Abuja.
Speaking under the theme “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” Dr. Aliyu emphasized that young Nigerians hold the essential solution to creating a society free of corruption. He noted that their enthusiasm, innovative thinking, and courage provide a strong foundation for establishing lasting integrity systems. According to the Chairman, providing young people with appropriate values, resources, and opportunities will empower an entire generation capable of tackling corruption at its source. He urged them to be brave and united, underscoring that while corruption poses a threat to national aspirations, integrity is what reinforces them.
The ICPC Chairman detailed the Commission’s extensive initiatives specifically targeting youth, which include anti-corruption lectures at National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps across the nation, collaborative NYSC–ICPC community development activities, and the formation of anti-corruption clubs in schools. Furthermore, he disclosed that the Commission has intensified its efforts to boost transparency at the local level through the Joint National Local Government Accountability Framework Workshops and the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACPP-LG).
In his keynote address, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, characterized the event as a critical venue for increasing awareness about the dangers associated with corruption and reinforcing the collective determination to combat it. He affirmed that youth empowerment remains a significant priority for the current administration, describing young Nigerians as effective agents of change and the guardians of the nation’s democratic future. He encouraged them to embrace accountability and establish integrity as a defining national value.
Earlier in the program, Mrs. Jane O. Onwumere, the Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR), stated that the annual observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day, designated by the United Nations for December 9, serves as a worldwide reminder of the damaging consequences of corruption and the necessity for collective action. She observed that this year’s focus on youth was particularly meaningful, as it acknowledges young people not simply as beneficiaries of good governance but as active co-creators of it. She drew a connection between corruption and the increasing “japa” (emigration) trend among young Nigerians and stressed that investing in youth capability remains the most sustainable approach in the battle against corruption.
The event’s proceedings included two panel discussions and an inter-school debate, which was won by Model Girls’ Secondary School, Maitama, serving to highlight the proactive role of young people in promoting integrity and accountability.
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