Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has made a compelling appeal to the National Assembly for a substantial increase in the Commission’s funding; arguing that without it, the agency’s capacity to fulfil its anti-corruption mandate is critically undermined.
Dr. Aliyu presented his case on Tuesday whilst defending the ICPC’s 2026 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes. He detailed how severe underfunding and poor disbursement of approved allocations had crippled operations throughout 2025.
“Inadequate funding remains our most significant impediment, directly affecting our manpower, logistics, staff welfare, and overall operational effectiveness,” stated Dr. Aliyu.
The ICPC Chairman provided a stark breakdown of the 2025 financial constraints:
1. Overhead Costs: Of the N7.82 billion approved, only N2.1 billion (approximately 28%) was released.
2. Capital Expenditure: From an approved N7.3 billion, a mere N400.49 million (about 5%) was released—and only on 28 November 2025. This late, minimal disbursement prevented proper project execution and compliant procurement processes.
Despite these “severe limitations,” the Chairman highlighted the Commission’s notable achievements in 2025:
1. Recovered N33.1 billion in cash and $1.8 million, alongside other assets.
2. Filed 72 new cases and secured 36 convictions, with roughly 400 cases ongoing nationwide.
3. Received 1,107 petitions, assigning 700 for investigation and concluding 150.
4. Deployed Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecards in 344 MDAs and inaugurated 131 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs).
Dr. Aliyu expressed profound concern over the low morale among staff, who undertake high-risk investigations with inadequate support. “Their dedication is commendable, but welfare is poor. Without improved funding, we cannot function effectively, and this situation risks damaging Nigeria’s global standing in corruption perception indices,” he warned.
He further noted with dismay that the proposed 2026 budget allocation for the ICPC has been reduced, despite the evident need for enhancement. Dr. Aliyu concluded by assuring the Committee of the Commission’s commitment to fiscal discipline and prudent resource management should funding be improved.
In response, the Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Emmanuel Udende, commended the ICPC’s recoveries and successes amidst financial hardship. He assured Dr. Aliyu that his committee would actively engage the Senate Committee on Appropriations to advocate for an improved financial provision for the Commission.