In a bold move to combat corruption across West Africa, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who currently chairs the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has urged member countries to ratify and fully implement the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption.
Speaking at the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasised the critical importance of transitioning from mere commitment to concrete action in the fight against graft.
Tinubu who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to the cause, President Tinubu announced the country’s donation of an office building to serve as the permanent headquarters for NACIWA.
The ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption, adopted in 2001, aims to promote and strengthen the development of mechanisms needed to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption in West Africa. However, its full implementation has been slow, with many member states yet to ratify the protocol.
In a statement issued by the Vice President’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, President Tinubu called for urgent action comes at a time when the region is grappling with a resurgence of military coups, which experts attribute in part to the lack of good governance and corruption.
As the chairman of ECOWAS, Tinubu is expected to navigate complex political terrains both within Nigeria and across West Africa, with the fight against corruption being a key priority.
The President Kashim Shettima, said, “In recognition of NACIWA’s pivotal role in our regional anti-corruption efforts, I am proud to announce that the Nigerian government has donated a property to serve as NACIWA’s permanent headquarters.
“This gesture underscores our commitment to strengthening NACIWA’s institutional capacity and providing a solid operational foundation. As we deliberate on implementing the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption, I urge all member states to renew their commitment to this cause”.
The ECOWAS Chairman urged member countries of the regional body to move beyond rhetoric and focus on concrete actions targeted at harmonizing their “legal frameworks to close loopholes exploited by corrupt individuals.”
He listed other tangible actions required to include enhancing cross-border cooperation in investigations and asset recovery, investing in innovative technologies to detect and prevent corrupt practices, promoting transparency in public procurement and resource management, engaging civil society and the media as partners in the region’s anti-corruption efforts, and strengthening the independence and capacity of its national anti-corruption institutions.
Demanding full implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption, Tinubu said: “The task before us is enormous, but so significant is our collective resolve by working together, sharing best practices, and leveraging our diverse strengths, we can create a formidable bulwark against corruption in West Africa.
“All member states must ratify and fully implement the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption. Let us move from commitment to action, from intention to implementation. The future of our region depends on our ability to create transparent, accountable, and efficient governance structures that serve the interests of our people”.
He highlighted the dangers of corruption, maintaining that it has remained “one of the most significant obstacles to the progress and prosperity of our nations.
“It (corruption) undermines the very fabric of our societies, erodes public trust, and impedes the equitable distribution of resources. As leaders, we are responsible for confronting this challenge head-on with unwavering resolve and concerted action,” he added.
Outlining the steps he has taken to tackle corruption in Nigeria since he assumed office as President last year, the ECOWAS Chairman said he strengthened “all the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria by not interfering in their activities and ensuring that they are adequately funded.
“I have also encouraged them to operate within the ambit of the law. This is a template which I recommended to other states within the region,” he further noted.
President Tinubu reaffirmed what he described as Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to NACIWA’s success “and the broader anti-corruption agenda within ECOWAS,” assuring that working together in synergy will enable member countries to “build more vital institutions, foster regional unity, and pave the way for a prosperous and corruption-free West Africa.”
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, noted that there is an urgent need for regional and global cooperation in the battle against corruption, describing it as a cancer that threatens Africa’s stability and development.
“Corruption is a cancer that has eaten deeply into the fabric of many African nations. It has been a persistent obstacle to development, undermining our institutions, eroding public trust, and exacerbating poverty,” Tuggar stated.
He further stressed that in Nigeria, corruption has fueled insecurity and discontent, making it a matter of life and death.
Tuggar also highlighted the alarming scale of financial loss due to corruption, pointing to UN estimates that Africa loses $88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows—funds that could have been used for essential public services like schools and hospitals.
Also, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasised the crucial role of collaborative efforts in the fight against corruption.
“The fight against corruption is not just a matter of institutional duty, but a crucial step towards securing a better future for our nations. We must work diligently to implement policies and strategies that effectively counter this menace,” Fagbemi said.
On his part, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, urged regional anti-corruption bodies to adapt their strategies to evolving threats.
“Corruption continues to evolve, adopting new forms and exploiting technological advancements. We must constantly adapt our strategies and enhance our capabilities,” Olukoyede said.
Also, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, emphasised that the fight against corruption is a long-term struggle requiring unwavering commitment.
“Confronting this hydra-headed monster has become imperative given the debilitating challenges and effects posed by corruption on economic development,” Aliyu noted.
He called for full adherence to the 2021 ECOWAS protocol on anti-corruption and recommended the use of digital tools to enhance the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures.
The representative of the ECOWAS President, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, outlined the strides made by ECOWAS in collaboration with national anti-corruption agencies to include implementing policies that promote transparency and good governance.
He, however, acknowledged that there is still considerable work to be done.
“Corruption remains one of the most significant challenges facing our nations. It undermines economic growth, erodes public trust, and hinders the development of our societies. As we convene today, we must reaffirm our commitment to tackling this issue head-on,” Musah said.
Others present at the summit included Chairman Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Udende Emmanuel; Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi; Heads of ECOWAS Anti-Corruption Agencies, and representatives of UN agencies, among many others.
Daily Sun