Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has urged fellow West African nations to ratify and implement the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption.
Mr Tinubu, who chairs the regional body, said member states must move beyond “mere commitment and intention” to tackle corruption.
Speaking at an anti-corruption conference in Abuja, he said the region’s future depends on building transparent and accountable governance.
The Nigerian leader announced his country would provide a permanent headquarters for the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA).
“This gesture underscores our commitment to strengthening NACIWA’s institutional capacity,” said Mr Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He called for concrete actions, including:
- Harmonising legal frameworks
- Enhancing cross-border cooperation
- Investing in anti-corruption technologies
- Promoting transparency in public procurement
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, described corruption as a “cancer” threatening Africa’s stability. He cited UN estimates that the continent loses $88.6bn (£69.7bn) annually to illicit financial flows.
The conference, held at the ECOWAS Secretariat, brought together regional anti-corruption bodies and government officials.
ECOWAS Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah acknowledged progress in implementing transparency policies but said “considerable work” remains to be done.
Mr Tinubu highlighted his own efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, saying he had ensured their independence and adequate funding.
The Nigerian president said this approach could serve as a template for other countries in the region.
