7th Annual General Assembly of NACIWA Reaffirms Regional Unity against Corruption

Theme: A United ECOWAS against Corruption: Strengthening Regional Collaboration for Asset Recovery and Exchange of Information
Date: 14–15 October 2025
Venue: ECOWAS Commission Auditorium, Abuja, Nigeria
Format: Hybrid

The Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) successfully held its 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) from 14 to 15 October 2025 at the ECOWAS Commission Auditorium in Abuja, Nigeria. The event brought together heads of anti-corruption institutions from across the ECOWAS region, along with representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders, to advance the regional agenda for transparency, accountability, and collective integrity.

Opening Session: Renewed Commitment to Regional Action

Declaring the Assembly open on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for the regional anti-corruption agenda. The President called on West African nations to deepen collaboration in combating corruption, illicit financial flows, and resource theft—issues he described as direct threats to peace, security, and sustainable development.

He urged NACIWA member states to strengthen regional financial intelligence sharing, enhance accountability in the extractive sector, and move beyond rhetoric to measurable results that reinforce ECOWAS’ vision of collective prosperity and integrity.

Remarks by the NACIWA President and Heads of Institutions

In his keynote remarks, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, President of NACIWA and Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reaffirmed the network’s commitment to practical and coordinated regional action against corruption. He emphasized that while the challenges confronting the region remain formidable, they are not insurmountable.

He highlighted the strides made since the last Assembly, including the operationalization of NACIWA’s permanent headquarters, strengthened collaboration with ECOWAS and international partners, and growing recognition of the Network’s role as a credible regional coordination mechanism. He also called for enhanced digital innovation, legal harmonization, and youth engagement in anti-corruption strategies.

The Secretary-General of NACIWA, Mr. Aba Kimelabalou, underscored the importance of institutional consolidation and policy continuity. He noted that the 7th AGA coincided with the 50th Anniversary of ECOWAS, symbolizing renewed unity and the strategic importance of embedding NACIWA more firmly within ECOWAS structures.

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, also stressed the importance of intelligence-led approaches, preventive frameworks, and capacity development to sustain institutional momentum.

Partnership and Regional Support

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to strengthening regional integrity systems. He emphasized that corruption remains a borderless crime and called for deeper cooperation in intelligence gathering, asset tracing, and recovery. Development partners, including International IDEA, UNODC, and the European Union, reiterated their support for NACIWA’s work, especially in advancing regional legal harmonization, strengthening institutional capacity, and promoting citizen engagement.

Deliberations and Key Outcomes

Over the two-day session, delegates deliberated on progress reports, reviewed institutional updates, and discussed the way forward for regional anti-corruption cooperation.

Key outcomes included:

1. Finalization of ECOWAS Guidelines on Borderless Investigations and Asset Recovery:
   The Assembly reviewed the draft of the Guidelines and mandated the NACIWA Secretariat, in coordination with ECOWAS, to complete the adoption process by the first quarter of 2026.

2. Re-elect of the NACIWA Executive Committee:
   By consensus, the Assembly renewed the mandate of the current Executive Committee for a new three-year term (2025–2028) and welcomed CPC Cabo Verde as the new Treasurer.

3. Expansion and Clarification of Membership:
   The CPC Cabo Verde and the Code of Conduct Bureau (Nigeria) were formally admitted as a full members of NACIWA.

4. Operationalization of Headquarters:
   The Assembly commended progress on renovation of the NACIWA Headquarters in Abuja and instructed the Secretariat to continue monitoring progress.

5. Reaffirmation of Regional and International Commitments:
   Member institutions reaffirmed their adherence to the ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight against Corruption, the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).

Closing Reflections: United for a Stronger ECOWAS Integrity System

In closing, delegates reaffirmed their collective resolve to transform commitments into practical regional mechanisms that enhance transparency, asset recovery, and cross-border cooperation. The Assembly called for continued collaboration between national anti-corruption institutions, ECOWAS, and development partners to ensure sustainable regional integrity systems.

The General Assembly concluded with expressions of gratitude to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ECOWAS Commission, and all development partners for their support. The re-election of the NACIWA Executive Committee by consensus was described as a demonstration of confidence in the leadership’s commitment to continuity, collaboration, and innovation in the fight against corruption.