The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in public sector recruitment, while calling for deeper collaboration among government agencies to tackle systemic corruption.
Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), ICPC Chairman Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, emphasized the need for merit-based recruitment to curb rising job racketeering in the country.
Aliyu noted that many young Nigerians face challenges accessing employment due to corrupt practices in recruitment processes. He urged the CDCFIB to uphold meritocracy and ensure a level playing field for all job seekers, regardless of background.
“Agencies must prioritize fairness in recruitment. When employment opportunities are hijacked through unethical practices, it erodes public trust and damages national cohesion,” he said.
The ICPC boss highlighted the Commission’s three-pronged anti-corruption strategy prevention, enforcement, and public enlightenment stressing that a broader, coordinated approach was more effective than arrests and prosecutions alone.
He also proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ICPC and CDCFIB to enhance intelligence sharing, capacity building, and collaborative efforts to promote integrity in public service.
In his response, the Executive Secretary of CDCFIB, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril, welcomed the collaboration and praised the ICPC for its efforts in strengthening accountability across public institutions.
He reiterated the board’s willingness to work closely with the Commission to promote transparency and ensure its recruitment processes meet national and ethical standards.
