ICPC Seeks Institutionalisation of Anti-Corruption Education in Nigerian Legal Training
ABUJA, July 17, 2026 – The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to institutionalising anti-corruption education in Nigerian universities and the Nigerian Law School as part of efforts to build a legal profession anchored on integrity, transparency and accountability.
Aliyu stated this while delivering his closing remarks at the ICPC/Nigerian Law School Kano Zonal Workshop on the Integration of Anti-Corruption Education into Nigerian Universities and the Nigerian Law School, held at BON Hotel, Abuja, from July 16 to 17, 2026.
The workshop, themed “Institutionalising Anti-Corruption Education in Nigerian Legal Training,” brought together stakeholders from faculties of law across Nigerian universities and the Nigerian Law School to develop a framework for integrating anti-corruption studies into legal education.
According to the ICPC Chairman, corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development, weakening institutions, undermining the rule of law, eroding public trust, slowing economic growth and reducing the quality of public services.
He stressed that combating corruption requires more than investigation and prosecution, noting that prevention, education and the promotion of ethical values are equally critical.
“Legal education is central to this effort. Lawyers are custodians of justice and key actors in governance. Building strong ethical values at the early stages of legal training is essential to producing lawyers who are not only professionally competent but also committed to ethical leadership and national development,” he said.
Aliyu explained that the workshop followed earlier engagements with Deans of Faculties of Law and another zonal workshop held in Kano, aimed at advancing discussions on integrating anti-corruption education into Nigeria’s legal curriculum.
He noted that participants examined ways of incorporating anti-corruption studies into the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) curriculum in line with the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), while also discussing curriculum content, teaching methods, lecturer training and institutional collaboration.
The ICPC Chairman emphasized that the initiative was not intended to impose a rigid curriculum but to allow experts and stakeholders to determine the most appropriate approach, whether through existing law courses, broader academic studies or as a standalone course.
He described the programme as a pilot initiative that could eventually be extended to other professional disciplines if successfully implemented.
Aliyu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting universities and the Nigerian Law School in promoting transparency, accountability and ethical values through preventive and educational initiatives.
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the workshop would strengthen legal education and contribute to raising integrity standards across Nigeria’s institutions.
The ICPC Chairman concluded by wishing participants safe travels back to their respective destinations while reiterating the Commission’s resolve to build a legal profession that upholds justice, integrity and national development.
