The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), has declared corruption as Nigeria`s greatest obstacle to economic progress and investment.

Speaking at a lecture organized by Economic Confidential in Abuja, Aliyu revealed that deep-seated graft within public institutions is systematically draining the nation`s wealth and blocking critical foreign investments.

The anti-graft boss highlighted alarming cases of systemic failure, including a 2024 discovery where N24 billion meant for ghost workers` pensions was intercepted. In one extreme instance of fraud, a single civil servant successfully enrolled 14 family members into the government payroll, illegally drawing 13 separate salaries. To date, no individual has stepped forward to claim the seized N24 billion. Aliyu also pointed to a legacy of abandoned initiatives, such as a 2012 incident where a $65 million public housing fund was entirely pocketed by officials.

To counter these economic crimes, Aliyu announced a strategic shift for the ICPC. The agency will move away from reactive measures to focus heavily on strengthening weak institutional systems. Immediate priorities include eliminating "ghost workers," targeting fake government agencies, and forcing fraudulent contractors to execute uncompleted constituency projects.

Aliyu concluded with a call for cultural renewal, urging citizens to take anti-corruption campaigns directly to primary schools to instill integrity in the next generation.