Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has revealed that Nigeria recorded approximately 87 million cases of bribery, totaling about N700 billion, in the previous year. He noted that bribery incidents were more frequent in rural areas compared to urban centers.
Speaking at the International Law Conference organized by the Faculty of Law at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, Dr. Aliyu identified corruption as a significant barrier to Nigeria’s development. He stated that corruption undermines public trust, weakens the rule of law, and hinders economic growth.
In his keynote address titled "Law and Contemporary Societal Issues: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities," Dr. Aliyu emphasized that corruption is both a legal and social issue, requiring a comprehensive and sustained approach. He cited a recent survey by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which ranked corruption as the fourth most critical problem in Nigeria in 2023, following the cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Aliyu noted some progress, highlighting that the rate of citizens reporting bribe payments to authorities increased from 3.6% in 2019 to 8.6% in 2023. This rise, he suggested, reflects a growing awareness and willingness among Nigerians to combat corruption.
Additionally, the ICPC Chairman pointed out that abuse of office remains prevalent in many sectors of the public service. He also addressed the issue of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, citing studies that show a high prevalence of harassment among female students. Referring to a 2018 World Bank survey, Dr. Aliyu mentioned that about 70% of female graduates from Nigerian institutions reported experiencing sexual harassment from classmates or instructors.
