Senate applauds ICPC for exemplary adherence to Federal character principles, urges other MDAs to emulate

By Matthew Denis

The Nigerian Senate has praised the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for its exemplary adherence to Federal Character principles in staffing and internal appointments.

This commendation was issued on Wednesday during a session at the National Assembly in Abuja, where ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, and his management team presented the Commission’s staff profile and deployment statistics before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

In a statement signed by Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and spokesperson for the Commission, it was revealed that the Committee, led by Senator Allwell Onyesoh, expressed deep satisfaction with the ICPC's transparent and inclusive practices.

Senator Onyesoh lauded the Commission for its fairness and national representation in its appointments and promotions. “ICPC has shown that due process is not only possible but also achievable,” he said.

“What you have presented today gives us hope that we still have institutions and individuals committed to building a better Nigeria.”

He criticized other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that have either failed to appear before the Committee or have not met basic compliance expectations. In contrast, he said the ICPC stands as a model for others to follow.

“Whenever we encounter challenges with any MDA regarding compliance with federal character principles, we will direct them to you so they can learn from your example,” Senator Onyesoh added.

Other members of the Committee echoed similar sentiments, commending the ICPC for maintaining a transparent and balanced workforce. They described the Commission’s nominal roll and staff distribution across the six geopolitical zones as among the best in the public sector.

In his presentation, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu disclosed that the Commission currently employs 1,163 staff members, distributed fairly as follows: North Central – 19%, North West – 19%, North East – 16%, South South – 16%, South West – 16%, and South East – 14%.

Dr. Aliyu also noted that the Commission has ten directors—nine substantive and one in acting capacity—equitably spread across the six zones.

“As Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption agency, we are proud to be practicing what we preach,” he said. “We remain fully committed to upholding all extant rules and the Federal Character Balancing Index, and our efforts have been consistently recognized by the Federal Character Commission.”

He reaffirmed the ICPC’s dedication to promoting equity and inclusiveness, emphasizing that these principles are foundational to its mission of advancing integrity and good governance in Nigeria.