Tinubu to ECOWAS countries: Adopt anti-corruption protocol — our region needs accountability

President Bola Tinubu has urged member states of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to adopt and implement anti-corruption protocol in their different domains.

Tinubu spoke on Monday during the 6th annual general assembly of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA).

The meeting took place in Abuja at the ECOWAS secretariat.

The ECOWAS protocol, aimed at promoting the harmonisation and coordination of national anti-corruption laws, was adopted in December 2001.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu at the event, announced Nigeria’s donation of an office building for the permanent headquarters of NACIWA in the country.

He stressed that the region’s future hinges on its capacity to build governance structures that are not just transparent, accountable, and efficient, but also serve the interests of the people.

He urged ECOWAS countries to move beyond rhetoric in the fight against corruption and take action by blocking the legal loopholes exploited by corrupt individuals.

He added that the federal government is not interfering in the operations of anti-corruption agencies, noting that they are adequately funded.

“The task before us is enormous, but so significant is our collective resolve. By working together, sharing best practices, and leveraging our diverse strengths, we can create a formidable bulwark against corruption in West Africa,” Shettima was quoted as saying in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, his media aide.

“All member states must ratify and fully implement the ECOWAS protocol against corruption. Let us move from commitment to action, from intention to implementation.

“The future of our region depends on our ability to create transparent, accountable, and efficient governance structures that serve the interests of our people.

“It (corruption) undermines the very fabric of our societies, erodes public trust, and impedes the equitable distribution of resources. As leaders, we are responsible for confronting this challenge head-on with unwavering resolve and concerted action.”