A delegation of Nigerian lawmakers visited Kenya to benchmark on anti-corruption strategies, even as both countries continue to grapple with deep-rooted graft challenges.
The team, comprising Members of Parliament and Senators serving on Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), met Kenya’s National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), led by Tharaka MP George Murugara, at the Parliament Buildings on November 6.
Also in attendance were officers from the Directorate of Litigation and Compliance Services and officials from Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Musa Adamu Aliyu, the Chairperson and Executive Officer of the ICPC, stated that the visit aimed to share experiences, identify best practices, and foster stronger collaboration between Kenya and Nigeria in the fight against corruption.
“The ICPC and the EACC have long been partners working toward a shared mission to eradicate corruption and related offences in both Nigeria and Kenya,” Adamu noted.
He observed that the challenges facing both nations mirror those across the continent and called for collective African efforts to combat illicit financial flows and the smuggling of cultural artefacts abroad.
“This fight cannot be won without the support of parliaments and other legislative bodies,” he added.
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JLAC member and Daadab MP Farah Maalim urged the visiting lawmakers to study Kenya’s Constitution, which anchors seven key statutes dedicated to anti-corruption.
However, he emphasized that, despite a robust legal framework, enforcement remains a significant challenge.
The Nigerian delegation included Emmanuel Udende, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, and Kayode Moshhod Akiolu, Chairperson of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption.
Rouqaya Ibrahim, Chief of Staff to the ICPC Chairperson, Prince Hassan Mohammed, Director of the Special Services Department, and Mr. Ahmed Abdul, Head of External Cooperation at the ICPC, were also present.
Also Read: Ruto Forms Team to Fight Corruption After Threatening to Arrest Some MPs
Global Corruption Rankings
According to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, Kenya and Nigeria continue to perform poorly in the global fight against corruption, ranking 121st and 140th, respectively.
Kenya moved up five spots to 121st, indicating slight progress in its anti-graft efforts, although it remains among the lower-ranked countries globally.
Nigeria also improved by five positions to 140th, but continues to rank among the most corruption-challenged nations in the world.
| Country | 2024 Rank | 2023 Rank (Previous) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 121 | 126 | ↑ Improved by 5 places |
| Nigeria | 140 | 145 | ↑ Improved by 5 places |
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