International Conference on Anti-corruption: CMPA calls for Annual Anti-Corruption Performance review and Policy Dialogue

Yesterday, the Centre for Media, Policy and Accountability (CMPA) attended the International Conference on Anti-corruption Akoka 2025, with the Theme, “Politics, Governance, Probity, Religion and Corrupt Behavior in Nigeria”.

The Conference Organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos in partnership with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Panafricana Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG) Lagos. The occasion had Prof. Tunde Babawale, former Provost of the Anticorruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) as the guest speaker where he spoke extensively on the theme of the event.

Guest Speaker. Prof. Tunde Babawale, immediate past Provost, Anticorruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) delivering the keynote address

Besides the keynote address, the event also featured series of presenation by renowned scholars in the academics including CMPA’s Senior Research and Programme Fellow, Isah Ibn-Mohammed, who made two presentations, First Paper: “Nigerian Anti-Corruption Public Performance Reporting: Successes, Challenges and Standardized Approach” where he highlighted the key recommendations of the NAPPR Project otherwise called the Harmonized Template for Anti-Corruption Performance Reporting in Nigeria. He noted that, while inter-agency coordination remained weak; media coverage was dominated by scandals rather than outcomes, and, that rural communities were largely excluded from public education efforts. The paper stressed on the need to take the anti-corruption effort down to the grass root with publications in different major languages

Speaking further, “the paper recommended an annual Anti-Corruption Performance Review and Policy Dialogue. Such an event will bring together the entire anti-corruption community in the country (relevant government officials and institutions, civil society organizations, media, and other involved actors to discuss, deliberate and share ideas on anti-corruption policy, implementation and performance on annual basis.”

Isah Ibn-Mohammed, Senior Research and Programme Fellow, Centre for Media, policy and Accountability (CMPA)

His second Paper looked at Religion, Corruption and the Nigerian Paradox; Why the “House” Must Reclaim its Seal, Mr. Ibn-Mohammed argued that Corruption and religion have become a Siamese twin of some sort used to limit the people from holding leaders accountable for their actions especially in managing state resources.

The event also featured presentations by, academics, Civil Society Advocates notably Executive Director, CISLAC Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, and the ED; PANAFSTRAG.

As we move forward, CMPA expresses its profound commitment in the fight against corruption, we also encourage all stakeholders to continue to do same. Together, we can build a more tolerant, transparent and accountable Nigeria.