By George Ozalla
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called on global business leaders to embrace corporate integrity as a strategic investment essential for sustainable growth and long-term success.
Dr. Aliyu made the call while delivering a paper titled “Corporate Integrity in a Global Marketplace: Compliance, Challenges and Strategies – The Nigerian Experience” at the 2025 World Anti-Corruption Conference held at Rhodes House, Oxford, United Kingdom.
He observed that while globalisation has opened vast opportunities for innovation and trade, it has equally exposed businesses to heightened risks, particularly those arising from complex legal systems and corruption pressures across multiple jurisdictions.
“Fighting corruption is not just about having laws; it is about building a culture of honesty. When leaders act with integrity, the rest of the organisation will follow. Integrity must be demonstrated from the top and reinforced by systems that reward ethical behaviour,” the ICPC boss stated.
Drawing lessons from Nigeria’s experience, Dr. Aliyu highlighted the challenges facing businesses, including varying international legal standards, pressure to pay facilitation fees, and weak internal oversight mechanisms. He stressed that effective compliance frameworks, strong leadership, and board-level accountability remain critical in overcoming such obstacles.
He further underscored the need for whistleblower protection, regular ethics training, and the inclusion of ethical performance in staff appraisals, noting that these measures enhance corporate responsibility and stakeholder trust.
Urging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt integrity-driven operations, Dr. Aliyu said honesty in business is not a hindrance but a foundation for competitiveness and resilience. “A company that conducts its business honestly earns public respect, attracts investors, and becomes more resilient. Integrity is not a cost, it is an investment,” he said.
According to him, the ICPC continues to strengthen enforcement and preventive mechanisms through prosecution of offenders, system reviews, and broad-based public education initiatives that promote transparency in governance and corporate conduct.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to deepen collaboration with international partners, regulators, and the private sector to promote ethical business practices across borders. “We are building a future where honesty is the norm in business, not the exception. This requires strong leadership, collaboration, and consistency,” he concluded.
The World Anti-Corruption Conference 2025, themed “United for Integrity: Innovation, Collaboration, and Accountability in the Fight Against Corruption,” convened global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts from across developed and emerging markets to explore sustainable strategies for strengthening integrity in international business.
According to a press statement signed by Demola Bakare, fsi, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and spokesperson for the Commission, the ICPC Chairman’s participation underscores Nigeria’s continuing commitment to advancing ethical governance and anti-corruption reforms both domestically and globally.
