The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has recovered more than ₦5.3bn from local government accounts in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory following a review of their financial records.

The commission also announced plans to ensure that all 774 local government areas in Nigeria publish their financial records and other relevant information online to strengthen transparency and accountability.

The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the launch of the ICPC-National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Local Government Websites Pilot.

In a statement issued by the commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, Mr Aliyu said the initiative was designed to improve public access to information about local government finances and prevent corruption at the grassroots.

He said the ₦5.3bn recovery demonstrated the financial risks associated with inadequate monitoring of council funds and the importance of regular scrutiny.

Councils to publish financial records online

Under the initiative, local government councils will be required to publish information on their budgets, statutory allocations, internally generated revenue, expenditure, audit reports and debts.

Other details to be made available include procurement processes, human resource records, citizen engagement platforms and channels for whistleblowing.

Mr Aliyu said the websites would enable residents, journalists and oversight institutions to monitor public spending and identify possible financial irregularities.

“When these records are published regularly, citizens can follow the money, the media can ask informed questions and oversight institutions can detect risks early, before they become losses,” he said.

He added that the commission would approach the initiative as a corruption prevention partnership rather than an instrument of witch-hunting.

NITDA to provide technology support

The ICPC chairman said NITDA would provide the technological infrastructure for the project, including domain registration, website development and hosting for at least one year.

The ICPC, on its part, would establish the content standards and accountability framework for the platforms.

Mr Aliyu urged local government chairmen to appoint dedicated officers to manage the websites and ensure that the information published was accurate and regularly updated.

NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the initiative would improve governance, citizen engagement and economic opportunities by making government information more accessible.

He said the agency would establish standards, develop website templates and train citizens, while the project would eventually extend to all 774 local government areas.

“Our ambition is not 774 websites. It is 774 digitally empowered local governments delivering better experience to millions of Nigerians,” Mr Abdullahi said.

Nasarawa flags off pilot project

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, performed the official launch and designated the Nasarawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency as the state’s technical partner.

Mr Sule directed local government councils to ensure that information uploaded to their websites was accurate and regularly updated. He also called for the appointment of officers responsible for verifying records before publication.

The governor said the success of the initiative would depend on how accessible, current and useful the information was to residents, rather than simply launching the websites.

He urged the ICPC and NITDA to extend the transparency initiative to state governments, offering Nasarawa as the first state to participate.

According to him, publishing financial records would help citizens identify where funds meant for local governments were being held up.

The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (retd.), and the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, also commended the initiative.

Mr Jatau pledged the Assembly’s support, noting that the Constitution empowers the legislature to oversee local government finances.

The launch was followed by a technical session on the standardised website template for the councils.