Promoting Transparency in Governance: ICPC Inaugrates Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in SEDI-Enugu

ACTU officer taking the oath of office
Presenting the Goodwill message of The Hon. Chairman ICPC
Cross-section of staff
Group photograph

Corruption has long been a critical obstacle to Nigeria’s development, undermining governance, economic growth, and public trust. In response, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has taken a proactive stance against corruption through various initiatives. One of its most notable tools is the Anti-corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), designed to foster transparency, intergrity and ethical conduct within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

On Thursday, 14th August 2025, the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI) Enugu hosted the inauguration and induction course for members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU). The event was graced by a delegation from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), led by Ms Emmanuella Anyanwu, who represented the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Enugu State Office, Barr. Kabir Elelu. In her welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of SEDI Enugu expressed the Institute’s commitment to upholding best practices, anti-corruption values, and transparency in all its operations. She further assured the ICPC team of the Institute’s unalloyed cooperation in fostering integrity and accountability. The highlight of the ceremony was the delivery of a Goodwill Message from the Hon. Chairman of the ICPC, which reinforced the Commission’s dedication to building stronger anti-corruption structures within government institutions, this was followed by the inauguration of the ACTU members, SEDI Enugu.

The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) was established by the ICPC in 2001 as part of the Nigerian government’s fight against corruption in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). It serves as the in-house mechanism for promoting ethics, integrity, and transparency within public institutions. Essentially, ACTU acts as an extension of ICPC within each MDA, ensuring that anti-corruption policies are internalized and implemented at the workplace level.

Mandate & Objectives
The mandate of ACTU is derived from:

  1. ICPC Act 2000
  2. Government directives on transparency and accountability

Its core objectives include:

  • Preventing corruption in MDAs through proactive measures.
  • Promoting ethical conduct and compliance with rules and regulations.
  • Raising awareness of corruption risks and encouraging integrity.
  • Serving as a watchdog to monitor and report corruption-related issues.
  • Strengthening transparency and accountability in the delivery of government services.

Functions of ACTU
ACTU operates as an institutional mechanism for reform and integrity within MDAs. Its key functions include:

Education and Enlightenment

  • Organizing sensitization workshops, seminars, and campaigns on corruption prevention.
  • Mainstreaming integrity and ethics in workplace culture.

Systems Study and Review:

  • Examining operational systems, processes, and procedures in MDAs.
  • Identifying loopholes that may promote corruption and recommending reforms.

Monitoring Compliance

  • Ensuring that MDAs comply with public service rules, financial regulations, and procurement laws.
  • Tracking adherence to transparency and accountability frameworks.

Receiving Complaints

  • Serving as a channel for staff or the public to report unethical practices, fraud, or administrative corruption.
  • Referring corruption-related complaints to the ICPC for investigation when necessary.

Advisory Role

  • Advising management on integrity measures.
  • Making recommendations for strengthening anti-corruption structures within the organization.

Importance of ACTU

  1. Grassroots corruption prevention — takes the anti-corruption fight directly into public offices.
  2. Institutional reform — helps plug loopholes in organizational processes.
  3. Culture of integrity — instills discipline, accountability, and ethical behavior among staff.
  4. Support to ICPC — provides local intelligence and reports that assist ICPC’s broader mandate.
  5. Public confidence — reassures citizens that government institutions are committed to transparency.

The ICPC’s ACTU is the internal anti-corruption watchdog in MDAs, tasked with preventing corruption, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability in public service delivery. It is a critical tool for building a culture of integrity within Nigeria’s public sector. As Nigeria continues to build institutions of integrity, the sustained use of such preventive tools will be critical in fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and good governance across all levels of government.