Transparency, Integrity Essential for Sustainable Development in Nigeria – ACAN Provost
The Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, has said that integrity and transparency in governance remain critical to achieving sustainable development and restoring public trust in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the 2nd International Conference on Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Integrity in Governance held at the Academy in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Ibrahim said the conference was designed to bring together intellectuals, policymakers, academics, and anti-corruption experts to develop practical solutions to governance challenges.
According to him, the conference, themed “Strengthening Integrity Systems for Sustainable Development and Public Trust in Nigeria,” aims to generate meaningful discussions and policy recommendations that can help tackle corruption and improve accountability across public institutions.
“This international conference is aimed at galvanizing intellectuals, policymakers, and academics to engage in robust conversations on integrity, transparency, and governance,” he said.
“We are examining how strengthening integrity systems can drive sustainable development and rebuild Nigerians’ trust in government institutions.”
The ACAN Provost stressed that a lack of integrity and transparency in public administration often results in inefficiency and corruption across key sectors, including healthcare, education, transportation, security, and environmental management.
He noted that transparent procurement processes and accountable management of public funds would lead to better infrastructure development and improved service delivery for citizens.
“Where there is transparency in procurement and public spending, there will be visible improvements in infrastructure and the provision of essential services to the people,” he said.
Ibrahim explained that the conference also aligns with the statutory mandate of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which includes public education, enlightenment, and enforcement against corruption-related offences.
He expressed optimism that participants would produce practical recommendations capable of addressing systemic barriers to transparency and accountability in governance.
According to him, the communiqué expected at the end of the conference will serve as a policy document for government officials and decision-makers.
“We expect participants to develop quality recommendations that can help break the barriers of corruption and strengthen integrity systems for national development,” he said.
The ACAN Provost also disclosed plans by the Academy to deepen international collaboration through what he described as “International Diplomatic Dialogue,” a platform that will bring foreign diplomats and anti-corruption experts to Nigeria to share experiences and best practices.
He said countries such as China, Botswana, and Seychelles have recorded notable successes in combating corruption and could provide valuable lessons for Nigeria.
“Mutual learning among nations strengthens institutions. There is a lot we can learn from countries that have achieved success in the fight against corruption,” he stated.
Beyond conferences and dialogues, Ibrahim revealed that the Academy intends to increase research activities, publish scholarly works on anti-corruption issues, and expand training programmes for public and private sector organizations.
He noted that ACAN regularly conducts training for officials of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), while also engaging financial institutions and private-sector stakeholders on issues of ethics, accountability, and transparency.
“We are expanding the scope of our training and retraining programmes to promote behavioural and attitudinal change that will make Nigeria a better place for all,” he said.
The conference attracted participants from government institutions, academia, civil society organizations, professional bodies, and anti-corruption agencies, all focused on developing strategies to strengthen integrity and promote good governance in Nigeria.
