Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has completed the verification of asset declarations submitted by 108 high-risk public officials, including 19 ministers, 37 permanent secretaries, 20 heads of government agencies and 32 other senior public officials, as part of a renewed government push to strengthen integrity and accountability within the federal public service. The bureau also disclosed that its long-awaited Online Asset and Liabilities Declaration System has been fully developed and is now ready for deployment and testing, marking a significant shift towards digitised disclosure management across public institutions.
Dr Abdullahi Usman Bello, Chairman of the CCB, made the revelations on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Abuja during the close-out ceremony of Agora Policy's Policy Writing Fellowship and the unveiling of the Local Governance Accountability Portal. Bello said the verification exercise targeted high-risk categories of public officers and formed part of the bureau's broader strategy to strengthen compliance with asset declaration requirements and improve accountability in public office. The exercise covered 19 ministers, 37 permanent secretaries, 20 heads of agencies and 32 other high-risk officials. The digital system, once deployed, is expected to serve as the central repository for asset and liability declarations by public servants nationwide, while also improving record management and access efficiency. The platform has been designed to enhance transparency in the disclosure process without compromising the privacy and security of declarants.
Beyond the verification exercise, Bello said the bureau had intensified enforcement actions, including the forfeiture of several assets, among them a property in London, as part of ongoing anti-corruption proceedings. He also disclosed that multiple cases had been referred to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, adding that enforcement efforts were being sustained across different tiers of public service. In a further indication of stepped-up prosecution, Bello said the bureau had, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, arraigned a chief of staff to a state governor before the tribunal, describing it as part of efforts to ensure accountability irrespective of political or official status. He said the actions underscored the bureau's resolve to enforce compliance with ethical standards in public service and deter breaches of the code of conduct framework.
The CCB chairman also disclosed that the bureau was investigating at least five local government chairmen in connection with the utilisation of council funds, saying the investigations had reached an advanced stage. According to Bello, the bureau has seen breaches of code of conduct principles, including conflict of interest and other violations. The development comes amid growing scrutiny of governance and public spending at the local government level following last year's Supreme Court ruling that strengthened the financial autonomy of Nigeria's 774 local councils. Bello said the bureau was also open to partnerships that would improve responsible public access to governance data while safeguarding sensitive information.
The CCB's disclosure came at the launch of two digital platforms by policy think tank Agora Policy aimed at improving public access to governance information and strengthening evidence-based policymaking. The first platform, the Local Governance Accountability Portal, provides access to historical and current data on allocations to local governments from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, profiles of councils, information on elected officials and data visualisation tools. The second, the Policy Registry, is designed as a searchable repository of policy documents, reports, strategies and governance resources. Waziri Adio, founder of Agora Policy, said the platforms were created to address longstanding gaps in transparency and public access to governance information, noting that enormous resources are pouring into local governments but they remain among the least scrutinised institutions in the country.
Bello commended Agora Policy's commitment to strengthening an evidence-driven, inclusive and robust approach to policymaking and policy engagement, describing the LGA Portal as a powerful instrument for promoting transparency and accountability at the grassroots level. He said strengthening accountability at the local level remained essential to broader anti-corruption efforts and sustainable national development. The CCB chairman said the bureau firmly believes that sustainable national development and the fight against corruption must begin with strong, accountable local governance.
The verification of the 108 high-risk public officials and the intensified enforcement actions signal a new phase in Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts, as the CCB moves to leverage technology and strengthen its investigative capabilities. With the Online Asset and Liabilities Declaration System now ready for deployment, the bureau is poised to modernise its operations and enhance its ability to detect and deter corruption across all levels of government. For the 108 officials whose asset declarations were verified, the exercise serves as a reminder that accountability is no longer optional, and that the era of impunity in public service is drawing to a close.
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