President Bola Tinubu has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ratify and fully implement the ECOWAS Protocol Against Corruption, emphasizing the critical role it plays in securing the region’s future.
Tinubu made this call on Monday 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.
Represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu highlighted the importance of transparent, accountable, and efficient governance structures across West Africa, stressing that the prosperity of the region hinges on its ability to combat corruption effectively.
“As leaders, we are responsible for confronting this challenge head-on with unwavering resolve and concerted action,” Tinubu stated.
He noted that corruption remains one of the most significant obstacles to the progress and prosperity of West African nations, eroding public trust and impeding the equitable distribution of resources.
In a significant move to bolster regional anti-corruption efforts, Tinubu announced Nigeria’s donation of an office building to serve as the permanent headquarters of NACIWA in the country.
“This gesture underscores our commitment to strengthening NACIWA’s institutional capacity and providing a solid operational foundation,” he said.
The President called on ECOWAS member states to go beyond mere commitments and take concrete actions to harmonize legal frameworks, close loopholes exploited by corrupt individuals, and enhance cross-border cooperation in investigations and asset recovery.
He also stressed the importance of investing in innovative technologies to detect and prevent corrupt practices.
“All member states must ratify and fully implement the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption. Let us move from commitment to action, from intention to implementation,” Tinubu urged.
He called for promoting transparency in public procurement and resource management while engaging civil society and the media as partners in the anti-corruption efforts.
Tinubu also outlined steps taken by his administration to tackle corruption in Nigeria, including strengthening anti-corruption agencies by ensuring their operational independence and adequate funding.
“This is a template which I recommend to other states within the region,” he added.
In his remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, described corruption as a cancer threatening 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 said.
Similarly, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in combating corruption, stating, “The fight against corruption is not just a matter of institutional duty, but a crucial step towards securing a better future for our nations.”
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to transparency, noting that this dedication had reinvigorated Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
“As the theme of the Assembly suggests, we are at a critical juncture in our collective fight against corruption in our sub-region,” Olukoyede said.
He called for focused efforts on strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, enhancing cross-border cooperation in investigations and asset recovery, and leveraging technology in the fight against corruption.
Olukoyede also emphasized the importance of developing capacity-building programs for anti-corruption practitioners across West Africa.
The Assembly, themed “Implementing the ECOWAS Protocol Against Corruption towards Strengthening Institutions for Regional Unity,” highlighted the urgent need for collaborative and coordinated efforts to foster transparency, accountability, and good governance in the region.
