The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is leading the partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency, to combat corruption and Illicit financial flows with the use of technology.
The ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, SAN, led a crucial meeting with the leadership of NITDA on Friday, emphasising the inclusion and integration of innovative technology in the fight against corruption and mapping areas of deployment of such technologies.
The meeting also entailed discussions on forming a joint committee, symbolising an ongoing collaboration between ICPC and NITDA, which underscores the commitment to digital transformation as a constant process, crucial for a proactive approach in the fight against corruption in the country.
The PUNCH reports that the partnership between both agencies was initiated by the former ICPC Chairman, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye in 2021, to aid the fight against corruption and Illicit financial flows.
In September, 2022, Professor Owasanoye on behalf of the ICPC in partnership with NITDA, and with the support of the Ford Foundation, West Africa, presented three demo hacking solutions, themed “The Hackaton,” as a digital answer to corruption in government school feeding programmes.
The hacking solutions were chosen out of the seven presented by innovators during the commission’s Illicit Financial Flows Hackathon is an initiative.
Revealing the latest development in a statement on Friday, the spokesperson for the ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, said Aliyu’s visit to NITDA was to initiate a new era in the fight against corruption, focusing on technology drive in achieving the ICPC’s mandate of enforcement, prevention and mass mobilisation against corruption.
Ogugua quoted Aliyu as saying, “With advancements in all sectors, adopting the best technologies in fighting and preventing corruption is crucial. Our partnership with NITDA is aimed at exploring support in digitising ICPC, enhancing transparency, accountability, and effectiveness, thereby boosting public confidence.
“Fighting corruption without technology is unthinkable at this stage. Our primary responsibilities at ICPC include preventing corruption, investigating, and prosecuting. Technology is essential for us to operate effectively.”
On his part, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Abdullahi, expressed readiness to assist the ICPC, sharing insights on NITDA’s Digital Transformation Playbook.
He emphasised that digital transformation is a continuous journey, highlighting the importance of building capabilities for sustainable results.
