• Collaboration
• ICPC
• NEITI

ICPC, NEITI STRENGTHEN ALLIANCE TO TACKLE CORRUPTION IN EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES

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  Caroline Ameh / 2 weeks
• 0
• 3 min read

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in order to strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity in Nigeria’s extractive sector. Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, gave the assurance while receiving the Executive Secretary and senior management team of NEITI during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. Dr. Aliyu described the relationship between both institutions as one built on mutual respect and strategic necessity, noting that the visit further reinforced their shared resolve to ensure that Nigeria’s natural resources are managed in line with the highest standards of integrity. According to him, the ICPC considers NEITI a critical partner in the fight against systemic corruption, particularly within the oil, gas and mining sectors. He explained that NEITI’s audit reports provide vital, data-driven insights that help identify revenue leakages and guide effective preventive and enforcement actions. The ICPC Chairman highlighted the establishment of the Special Extractive Industry Desk within the Commission as one of the major outcomes of the partnership. The desk was created to act directly on findings from NEITI audits, demonstrating a shift from merely reporting infractions to implementing concrete remedial measures. By integrating NEITI’s forensic audit data with ICPC’s investigative and prosecutorial mandate, Dr. Aliyu said both organisations are translating audit findings into tangible outcomes. He outlined areas identified for further collaboration to include real-time exchange of data on illicit financial flows, joint system study and review exercises within the solid minerals sector to prevent revenue losses, and joint training programmes for investigators and auditors from both institutions. Dr. Aliyu stressed that Nigerians expect the country’s natural wealth to translate into real national development, adding that the ICPC–NEITI partnership remains one of the most effective tools for meeting that expectation. He assured NEITI of the Commission’s continued openness to collaboration and expressed optimism that the partnership would yield even greater impact. Earlier, NEITI Executive Secretary, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, said that since its inception, NEITI has recognised that transparency alone is insufficient without strong preventive mechanisms and institutional accountability, especially in sectors with high corruption risks. He described the visit as timely, coming as Nigeria prepares for the 2026 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Validation exercise, which requires clear evidence of anti-corruption actions, preventive measures and follow-up on governance weaknesses identified through audits and disclosures. Hon. Sarkin Adar said NEITI is seeking sustained collaboration with the ICPC in utilising its reports for preventive actions, enforcement where necessary, and monitoring remedial measures arising from audit findings. He noted that such cooperation is critical to demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to accountability under the global EITI Standard. The NEITI Executive Secretary further observed that the agency’s audits and policy recommendations consistently expose systemic gaps, control weaknesses and corruption risks across the extractive value chain. He said the findings are intended to support preventive interventions, investigations and institutional reforms within ICPC’s mandate. He expressed confidence that strengthening collaboration between the two institutions would significantly reduce corruption risks, improve governance in the extractive sector and safeguard Nigeria’s natural resources for sustainable national development. Your Attractive Heading