NATIONAL ETHICS AND INTEGRITY POLICY

A Policy sets ethical standards for public servants and citizens, outlining strategies to promote integrity and fight corruption. It targets federal and state officials, public institutions, and civil society. This institutionalises ethical conduct and reduces corruption in governance.

What Is This Policy?

A national policy framework that sets out the ethical standards expected of public servants and citizens, and outlines strategies for promoting integrity and anti-corruption values in Nigeria.

Who Does It Target?

Federal and state public servants Political officeholders Public institutions and agencies Civil society, media, and the private sector

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Institutionalise ethical conduct in public life, reduce corruption through value re-orientation, and create a culture of integrity in Nigerian governance and society.

Key Features

Core Ethical Values: Defines core values including honesty, accountability, transparency, fairness, and service as the foundation of public conduct. Institutional Integrity Systems: Requires MDAs to develop and implement institutional integrity plans aligned with the national policy. Ethics Education: Promotes integration of ethics and anti-corruption education into school curricula and public sector training. Reward and Sanction Framework: Links performance management to ethical conduct, rewarding integrity and sanctioning misconduct.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active - being implemented through ICPC and MDAs Coverage: Nationwide, all tiers of government Beneficiaries: All Nigerians through improved governance and reduced corruption Funding: ICPC and Federal Government budgets

How to Access

Public servants must comply with ethical standards as a condition of employment MDAs must submit integrity plans to ICPC Report corruption and integrity breaches to ICPC Application method: Engage ICPC or the Office of the Head of Civil Service for implementation guidance.

Important Terms

The policy complements but does not replace the ICPC Act and other anti-corruption statutes Integrity declarations may be required for senior appointments Whistleblowers are protected under complementary legislation

Official Resources

Website: https://www.icpc.gov.ng Contact: Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

Legal Framework

Operates under the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution on the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act 2000, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004, and the Public Service Rules.