The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) has confirmed that Namibia and Nigeria are in discussions regarding a potential partnership for anti-corruption training.
According to the Acting Executive Director of MIRCO, Jeroboam Shaanika, the training collaboration aims to strengthen Namibia’s anti-corruption efforts by leveraging Nigeria’s expertise.
He said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, along with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), plays a pivotal role in combating corruption in Africa’s largest economy, making them suitable counterparts for Namibia’s ACC.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria, are two Nigerian institutions which are responsible for anti-corruption efforts by the Nigerian government, and are the counterparts of the Namibian Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC),” he said.
He further explained that specific areas of training will be outlined in future negotiations between the two nations.
The proposed agreement is currently under consideration by the Namibian Attorney General’s office, before seeking final approval from Cabinet.
Although no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed yet, Shaanika said this initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing leadership in Africa’s fight against corruption, notably symbolised by the recent appointment of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari as the African Union Anti-Corruption Champion.
“The specific areas of expertise will be agreed upon by the relevant institutions during the negotiations of the agreement. All agreements and MoUs in Namibia are being scrutinised by the Office of the Attorney General before final approval from Cabinet is being sought,” he said.
This comes as during a meeting on 11 October 2024, the Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Aliyu Musa Adamu, extended an offer to train Namibian Anti-Corruption Commission officers at the ICPC’s training school in Keffi, Nigeria.
The gesture was welcomed by Namibia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria Humprey Geiseb, who expressed interest in bringing the offer to the attention of relevant Namibian institutions.
