Namibia has reached out to Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for training and knowledge-sharing with its Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). This collaboration marks a major step in fostering intra-African cooperation to combat a scourge that hinders governance and development across the continent.
The initiative was revealed on Friday during a visit by Namibia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Humphrey Geiseb, to the ICPC’s headquarters in Abuja. During his discussions, the Ambassador lauded Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s anti-corruption fight and highlighted Namibia’s eagerness to benefit from Nigeria’s extensive experience, particularly in asset recovery efforts. Mr. Geiseb’s visit underscores a growing recognition that African nations must work together to overcome the challenges of corruption, rather than seeking external solutions.
“Nigeria should lead in sharing its expertise in the fight against corruption,” Mr. Geiseb remarked. “We hope Nigeria will open its doors to other African countries like Namibia to learn. It’s not good for Namibia to go outside the continent to acquire this knowledge when there are already successful models here.” He praised the work of both the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in recovering stolen assets, noting that Namibia’s ACC could greatly benefit from similar strategies.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, warmly welcomed the Ambassador’s visit, which coincided with the launch of the ICPC’s Strategic Action Plan for 2024-2028. Dr. Aliyu emphasized the need for African countries to collaborate in the battle against corruption, noting that the issue cannot be fought in isolation. “Corruption has its networks, and so must we,” he said. “By coming together, we can disrupt these illegal practices, paving the way for good governance and a vibrant foreign-direct investment environment across Africa.”
Dr. Aliyu also reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to supporting Namibia’s anti-corruption efforts, referencing a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by his predecessor, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, to formalize cooperation. He confirmed that the ICPC’s Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) stands ready to provide training and other forms of support to Namibia’s ACC. “We are open to sharing our experiences and learning from Namibia as well,” he added.
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This collaboration could mark a turning point for Namibia’s ACC, which has been seeking ways to enhance its capacity in tackling corruption. By learning from Nigeria’s successes, particularly in asset recovery and prosecution of high-profile cases, Namibia hopes to strengthen its own institutions and reduce the influence of corruption on its governance and development.
For many observers, this partnership represents a broader shift towards African solutions for African problems. With corruption still seen as one of the biggest obstacles to progress on the continent, the sharing of best practices and expertise between countries like Nigeria and Namibia could be a game-changer in the battle to improve transparency, governance, and accountability across Africa.
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