CITAD Marks International Anti-Corruption Day, Calls for Stronger Accountability and Digital Transparency

By Augustine Aminu

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Tuesday joined the global observance of the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day with a renewed call for government at all levels to strengthen accountability mechanisms, expand digital transparency, and protect citizens’ participation in governance.

This year’s commemoration, themed “United Against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security,” underscores the deepening impact of corruption on Nigeria’s socio-economic development and democratic stability. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Y.Z. Ya’u, CITAD warned that corruption remains one of the country’s most dangerous obstacles to progress, undermining public institutions, crippling service delivery, fueling insecurity, and eroding citizens’ trust in government.

CITAD noted that despite efforts by anti-corruption agencies and civil society, corruption continues to flourish—particularly within procurement systems, public financial management, election administration, and digital governance frameworks. The organization expressed growing concern over new forms of digital corruption, including opaque data practices, misuse of digital surveillance tools, political manipulation of cybercrime laws, and weak regulation of public digital infrastructure.

> “As Nigeria advances its digital transformation, accountability within the digital ecosystem is not optional; it is essential,” the statement emphasized.

The organization also condemned the increasing use of digital platforms and security institutions to stifle dissent, describing it as a direct threat to democracy and civic engagement. It urged the government to safeguard online freedoms and prevent the targeting of activists, journalists, whistleblowers, and citizens who expose corruption or demand accountability.

As part of its recommendations, CITAD called on federal, state, and local governments to Strengthen transparency and accountability frameworks across governance structures, Enhance digital accountability, particularly in procurement and public data management, Fully implement the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to ensure unrestricted access to public records.

Other recommendations are, Guarantee protection for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and online critics, Invest in civic and digital literacy to empower citizens—especially youth and women—to detect and report corruption and Foster stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society, the media, and development partners.

CITAD further urged anti-corruption bodies to scale up investigations into technology-enabled corruption, enforce whistleblower protections, and resist political interference that weakens accountability systems.

With Nigeria facing economic strain, security challenges, and governance concerns, the organization stressed that the cost of corruption has never been more devastating. It called for a united, transparent, and digitally inclusive national response.

CITAD reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a society rooted in integrity, transparency, and civic participation—where citizens can engage freely without fear of retaliation.