By George Ozalla
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has pledged to collaborate with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to combat corruption in the aviation sector. The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, made this commitment during a courtesy visit by the NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Ona Najomo, and his team to the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the press release signed by Demola Bakare, Director, Public Enlightenment and Education/Spokesperson for the Commission, Dr. Aliyu called for a multi-sectoral approach to addressing systemic corruption in the aviation sector and proposed the establishment of a Joint Corruption Prevention Roundtable between both institutions. This platform would enable the exchange of insights, development of anti-corruption strategies, and identification and mitigation of corruption risks within the aviation industry.
The ICPC Chairman also suggested the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the partnership, which could significantly strengthen institutional integrity and boost the confidence of foreign investors in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
In response, Captain Chris Ona Najomo stated that the visit was part of a broader move to deepen transparency, ethics, and accountability within the aviation industry. The NCAA DG requested ICPC’s support in enhancing whistleblower protection, strengthening the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), and receiving technical input on the proposed Sector Code of Ethics for airlines, maintenance organizations, and training institutions.
The NCAA has also invited ICPC to review its internal processes and advise on ways to mitigate corruption risks and ensure maximum compliance impact. Both institutions agreed that their collaboration would mark the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at fostering institutional integrity, promoting a corruption-free environment, and enhancing Nigeria’s global reputation in aviation safety and governance.
