The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has recovered more than ₦7.2 billion and $1.066 million in suspected proceeds of corruption in Nigeria’s North-West region.
The Chairman of the commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday in Kano during a one-day engagement with journalists from the North-West and North-East zones.
Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, explained that aside from the huge cash recoveries made between 2023 and 2025, the commission also confiscated 14 buildings, 25 plots of land, and three farmlands linked to individuals under investigation for corruption-related offences.
According to him, the North-West currently tops corruption records with 171 cases investigated, compared to 54 cases in the North-East. Out of these, 15 cases were filed in court—nine from the North-West and six from the North-East—leading to four convictions in the North-West.
“From 2023 till date, the ICPC has recovered ₦7.269 billion in the North-West, ₦43.335 million in the North-East, and a total of $1.066 million in the North-West alone,” Aliyu stated.
The ICPC boss also revealed that 1,440 constituency and government projects worth ₦271.05 billion were tracked across both regions, with 767 projects valued at ₦112.7 billion in the North-East and 673 worth ₦158.3 billion in the North-West.
He stressed that most of the recoveries were made possible through citizens’ and journalists’ efforts in exposing abandoned and fraudulent projects.
Aliyu noted that while enforcement and prevention remain core mandates of the commission, public enlightenment and citizen mobilisation are equally vital in fighting corruption.
He urged media practitioners to amplify anti-corruption campaigns in their communities.
Highlighting findings from a UNODC-NBS survey, the ICPC chief said the North-West recorded the highest bribe refusal rate in Nigeria at 76 percent, while the North-East stood at 60 percent.
Reports of bribery in the Northern zones also rose from 4.7 percent in 2019 to 13.4 percent in 2023, with formal action taken in 43 percent of cases compared to 16 percent in 2019.
“These are not just figures; they show real stories of Nigerians refusing to be exploited and standing up against corruption,” he said.
Aliyu appealed to the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill to strengthen citizens’ confidence in reporting corruption without fear of victimisation.
He added that curbing corruption in the regions was not only about good governance but also about fostering peace, trust, and development.
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