Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), has lamented the level of corruption in the country, saying the menace had eroded trust in public institutions, undermined rule of law and stifled economic growth.

Identifying graft as the most significant impediment to Nigeria’s development, Aliyu spoke when he delivered a keynote address at the ongoing International Law Conference, organised by the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, yesterday.

Speaking on the theme: “Law and Contemporary Societal Issues: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities,” the ICPC boss also pointed out that corruption is not only a legal issue, but also a social problem that requires a comprehensive and sustained approach.

Referencing a recent survey by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBC), he explained that graft ranked fourth among the most critical problems affecting the country in 2023, after cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment.

Aliyu disclosed that in 2023, an estimated 87 million bribes, amounting to N700 billion, were paid, adding that the frequency of bribes was higher in the rural areas.

The ICPC helmsman underscored that abuse of office also remained a form of corrupt practice common in many sectors of the Nigerian public service, noting that sexual harassment is a significant issue in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with studies indicating a high prevalence among female students.