FRC Hosts ICPC Delegation, Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency and Fiscal Discipline

Maryam Aminu

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding ethical standards and ensuring transparency in public finance management by hosting a team from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of an ongoing nationwide evaluation exercise.

The engagement, facilitated through FRC’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), marked a significant milestone in the ICPC’s Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard initiative, which assesses Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to strengthen institutional accountability and good governance practices.

During the visit, the ICPC delegation assessed several operational areas within the Commission, including Procurement, Human Resources, Finance and Audit, and Communications, with a focus on digital transparency and stakeholder engagement. The Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard is a strategic framework that enables the identification of integrity gaps while promoting reforms aligned with global best practices.

In preparation for the evaluation, the FRC’s ACTU conducted a comprehensive internal system review aimed at streamlining processes, identifying operational inefficiencies, and recommending measures to enhance accountability. This proactive step, in line with the Commission’s statutory mandate under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, earned commendation from the ICPC.

Representing the Executive Chairman, Deputy Director of Administration, Mr. Usman Nasiru, emphasized that the FRC remains steadfast in its pursuit of transparency, ethical governance, and fiscal prudence.

“This exercise reinforces our dedication to continuous improvement and integrity in public service,” Mr. Nasiru stated. “We welcome the ICPC’s findings and are optimistic they will guide further internal reforms that will improve operational efficiency and service delivery.”

The ICPC described the Scorecard as a non-punitive, capacity-building tool designed to help institutions like the FRC identify areas of improvement while supporting their commitment to ethical governance.

Findings from the assessment are expected to influence the Commission’s internal policies and contribute to broader efforts to institutionalize fiscal responsibility across all MDAs nationwide.