...New Platform To Replace Outdated Manual Asset Declarations By 2026
….Unexplained Wealth Will Trigger Automatic Alerts For Further Investigation
The Federal Government has begun developing an Artificial Intelligence-driven platform designed to instantly verify assets declared by public officials and flag unexplained wealth as part of renewed efforts to curb corruption.
The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr Abubakar Bello, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, saying the digital platform would become operational by the first quarter of 2026.
Bello said the initiative would replace the existing manual asset declaration system, which he described as inadequate for deep verification, noting that the new platform would allow public officers to declare their assets from anywhere in the world.
According to him, the AI-powered system will be integrated with key national databases, including those of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Bank Verification Number system, land registries and other relevant government records, to ensure instant cross-checking of information.
He described the project as a “game changer” in the fight against corruption, explaining that artificial intelligence would be used to analyse declarations and compare the net worth of public officers at the beginning and end of their tenure.
“The platform will automatically flag cases of unexplained wealth or possible breaches of the Code of Conduct for further scrutiny,” Bello said.
The CCB chairman added that the bureau had already commenced physical asset verification of ministers, permanent secretaries and other senior public officials, stressing that the exercise should not be mistaken for a criminal investigation.
“Verification is not investigation,” he said, explaining that the aim was to ensure compliance with asset declaration laws.
Bello revealed that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had personally appeared before the bureau to verify his assets, a move he described as a strong demonstration of leadership by example.
He further disclosed that the ongoing verification process had resulted in interim forfeiture orders against some public officers who failed to declare assets or could not satisfactorily explain their sources of wealth, including properties located both within and outside Nigeria.
According to him, some recovered funds have already been transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Bello warned that public servants who fail to declare their assets or ignore verification invitations risk investigation and possible prosecution before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
He urged public officers to comply strictly with asset declaration requirements, reiterating the bureau’s guiding principle: “Declare or forfeit.”
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