The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for stronger accountability systems, improved digital transparency, and enhanced citizens’ participation in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The Executive Director of CITAD, Mr Y. Z. Ya’u, made the call in a statement on Tuesday in commemoration of the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day with the theme “United Against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security.”
Ya’u said corruption remained one of the major threats to Nigeria’s development and democratic stability, as it continued to weaken public institutions, derail service delivery, fuel insecurity and diminish citizens’ trust in governance.
He noted that despite efforts by anti-corruption agencies and civil society groups, corruption persisted in procurement processes, management of public finances, elections, and digital governance, hence the need for renewed commitment and systemic reforms.
According to him, corruption is increasingly manifesting in digital systems, including opaque data governance, misuse of surveillance tools, manipulation of cybercrime laws and weak oversight of public digital infrastructure.
“As Nigeria deepens its digital transformation, embedding transparency and accountability in the digital ecosystem is essential,” he said.
The organisation stressed that the fight against corruption must extend to both offline and online governance spaces where weak regulation, abuse of power and poor enforcement continue to enable misconduct.
Ya’u also condemned the rising trend of weaponising digital expression, saying online spaces must remain free, safe and open for civic participation.
He urged the government to ensure that state actors do not use security agencies to harass or intimidate citizens for expressing dissent, adding that without digital freedom, Nigeria’s anti-corruption commitments would remain rhetorical.
CITAD further urged government and stakeholders to strengthen accountability mechanisms at all levels of governance, promote digital accountability.
“Ensure full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act and protect activists, journalists, whistleblowers and online critics who expose corruption”
The centre also called for investment in civic and digital literacy to empower citizens, especially youths and women, to identify and resist corrupt practices.
It urged anti-corruption agencies to prioritise investigation of digitally enabled corruption, strengthen whistleblower protection and address political interference in enforcement processes.
“Only through collective action, transparency, accountability and digital governance reforms can Nigeria achieve meaningful progress,” Ya’u said.
He reaffirmed CITAD’s commitment to promoting a society built on integrity, transparency and free civic participation