West Africa declares war on corruption, President Tinubu champions ECOWAS anti-graft initiative

In a historic move to eradicate corruption across West Africa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has called on ECOWAS member states to ratify and fully implement the regional Protocol against Corruption.

The announcement was made during 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, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, underlined the critical need for member countries to transition from mere intentions to concrete actions. “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 urged.

In a significant gesture, Nigeria has donated a property to serve as the permanent headquarters for NACIWA, emphasizing its commitment to building a robust operational foundation for the anti-corruption body.

“This gesture underscores our commitment to strengthening NACIWA’s institutional capacity,” stated Vice-President Shettima.

President Tinubu highlighted several strategic actions required to combat corruption, including harmonizing legal frameworks, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and investing in innovative technologies.

He also stressed the importance of engaging civil society and the media as partners in these efforts and strengthening the independence of national anti-corruption institutions.

“The task before us is enormous, but our collective resolve is formidable. By working together and leveraging our diverse strengths, we can create a formidable bulwark against corruption in West Africa,” Tinubu declared.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, echoed these sentiments, describing corruption as a “cancer” that threatens Africa’s stability and development. He cited UN estimates indicating that Africa loses $88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows—funds that could have bolstered essential public services.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in the fight against corruption.

“We must work diligently to implement policies and strategies that effectively counter this menace,” Fagbemi stated.

The summit also saw contributions from key regional figures, including EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, who both stressed the need for adaptive strategies and digital tools to combat evolving forms of corruption.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment from all attendees, including representatives from UN agencies, ECOWAS Anti-Corruption Agencies, and various governmental bodies. Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah of ECOWAS noted the strides made in promoting transparency but acknowledged the considerable work ahead.