By Chimezie Godfrey
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has called for the institutionalisation of anti-corruption education within Nigeria’s legal training system, stressing that the country must produce lawyers grounded in integrity and ethical values rather than mere legal experts.
Aliyu made the call in Abuja while delivering a welcome address at the ICPC/Nigerian Law School Workshop for Deans of Faculties of Law on the Teaching of Anti-Corruption in Nigerian Universities and the Nigerian Law School.
The workshop, themed “Institutionalising Anti-Corruption Education in Nigeria Legal Training,” brought together stakeholders in legal education to deliberate on the integration of anti-corruption studies into the nation’s legal curriculum.
The ICPC Chairman observed that corruption continues to undermine national development by weakening public institutions, eroding public confidence, distorting economic growth and compromising effective service delivery across sectors.
According to him, tackling corruption requires more than investigation and prosecution, noting that preventive, educational and value-driven approaches remain critical in shaping ethical consciousness and promoting accountability.
“The legal profession occupies a central position in the administration of justice and the sustenance of the rule of law. Lawyers serve as custodians of the law, defenders of justice, and critical actors within the justice system,” he stated.
Aliyu further stressed the need to instill ethical values early in legal education.
“Embedding these principles within university legal education and professional training at the Nigerian Law School is essential to producing lawyers who are not only intellectually competent but also ethically grounded and committed to national development,” he said.
He explained that the workshop aligns with the Commission’s preventive and public enlightenment mandate under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
According to him, the engagement was designed to provide stakeholders with a platform to brainstorm on integrating anti-corruption studies into the LL.B curriculum in line with the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards.
Aliyu clarified that the Commission was not seeking to impose a rigid framework on universities or the Nigerian Law School but rather encourage collaboration among stakeholders to determine practical approaches for strengthening anti-corruption education in legal training institutions.
In his remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, challenged law faculties and legal scholars to take more active roles in confronting corruption and rebuilding ethical values in society.
Represented by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, the Minister described corruption as one of the major causes of Nigeria’s institutional and developmental challenges.
He also called for reforms within the nation’s educational system, emphasizing the need for curricula that promote civic responsibility, practical knowledge, national history and community values.
The Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Emeka Ngige, described the workshop as timely and necessary in confronting corruption within the legal profession.
Ngige commended the ICPC for organising the engagement and stressed the need for actionable reforms capable of strengthening integrity and accountability among legal practitioners.
According to him, the Nigerian Law School has continued to integrate ethical content into its modules through Professional Ethics and Skills programmes aimed at instilling integrity and accountability in aspiring lawyers.
“Infusing anti-corruption studies into the curriculum of the Law School is an idea whose time has come,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, represented by Mr. L.M. Farouk, described universities as critical institutions for shaping ethical values and responsible citizenship.
The event also featured paper presentations by Prof. Muhammad Tabiu, SAN; Prof. Joy Ezeilo, SAN; and Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, SAN.
Legal Education Must Produce Lawyers of Integrity, Not Just Legal Experts — ICPC Chair
