President Bola Tinubu has announced that his government was winning the battle against corruption, citing the development of anti-corruption institutions and the political resolve to follow the ECOWAS anti-corruption protocol, among other measures.
He made the address yesterday in Abuja at the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, NACIWA, with the subject ”Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Fight Against Corruption. Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima,
He noted that his administration has worked hard to ensure the independence and proper funding of anti-corruption institutions, encouraging them to follow the law.
The President, who also proposed a similar pattern to other West African states, stated, “Corruption remains one of the most serious barriers to our countries’ progress and prosperity. It weakens the fabric of our societies, erodes public trust, and impedes equal resource distribution.
“As leaders, we are responsible for confronting this challenge with unwavering resolve and concerted actions.
“Over the past year, we have worked hard to strengthen all the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria by not interfering in their activities and ensuring they are adequately funded. We have also encouraged them to operate within the law. This is a template I recommend to other states within the region.”
The President emphasised the need of executing the ECOWAS anti-corruption convention, which strives to strengthen institutions for regional integration. He asked member states to reaffirm their commitment to the cause and move beyond rhetoric to genuine action.
Tinubu stated further: “I am pleased to note the progress we have made in this endeavour. The constructive collaboration between NACIWA and ECOWAS has yielded tangible results, fostering greater cooperation and information sharing among our national anti-corruption agencies.
“However, we must not rest on our laurels. The evolving nature of corruption demands that we constantly innovate and adapt our strategies.
“As we deliberate on implementing the ECOWAS protocol against corruption, I urge all member states to renew their commitment to this cause. Let us move beyond rhetoric and focus on concrete actions.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar emphasised the importance of regional and global cooperation in the fight against corruption in his keynote presentation, emphasising the links between corruption, insecurity, and illegal financial flows.
He underlined the importance of collective action, highlighting the loss of $88.6 billion due to illicit financial flows, which necessitates ongoing innovation and adaptation in anti-corruption strategies.
Tuggar emphasised the significance of cultivating a culture of integrity and transparency in the region.
“On a continental level, the menace of corruption is intimately tied to illicit financial flows, which siphon billions of dollars from Africa every year.
“The continent loses an estimated $88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows, equivalent to around 3 per cent of Africa’s GDP.
“These funds, often hidden in tax havens and opaque financial systems, represent stolen resources that could have been used to build schools, hospitals, roads, and other critical infrastructure.
“Illicit financial flows weaken our economy, deprive governments of essential revenue and deepen the cycle of poverty and suffering.
“The link between illicit funds and insecurity is clear: where there is widespread corruption and financial crimes, there is instability and conflict.
“Corruption, insecurity, and illicit financial flows are interconnected, and we must address them collectively.
“Regional and global cooperation are essential in the fight against corruption, and we must work together to overcome this challenge.
“Nigeria is committed to regional cooperation in the fight against corruption, and we will continue to work with NACIWA to achieve our common goals.
“We must promote a culture of integrity and transparency in our region. We will continue to engage with regional and international partners to combat corruption and promote regional cooperation,’’ the minister said.
