Nigerian private sector launches Clean Business Practice Initiative

ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, together with Nigerian private sector leaders and with support from the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI), announced today the launch of the Clean Business Practice Initiative (CBPI), dedicated to battling corporate corruption in Nigeria.

The CBPI, first adopted in June 2013 by Nigeria’s Honorary International Investors Council, is a private sector-driven anti-corruption initiative to complement government efforts in fighting corruption in Nigeria. By committing to develop and implement anti-corruption practices in institutions, systems and processes, the initiative aims to help level the playing field in trade, commerce and industry.

President Jonathan noted that he was delighted to hear of this private sector initiative – which he believes will both complement and strengthen the government’s resolve to fight corruption – to which he pledged to give his full support.

“The private sector acting alone cannot win the fight against corruption in Nigeria,” commented Emmanuel Ijewere, the Coordinator of CBPI. “Effective collaboration between the private sector and government is a critical enabler to our future success,” he said.

“We believe the CPBI model will encourage more collective action and business-government partnerships, especially in important sectors for growth and development such as energy, infrastructure and ICT,” said Elaine K. Dezenski, Senior Director and Head of the Partnering Against Corruption Initiative at the World Economic Forum.

“These efforts are best when driven locally, together with support from the global business community,” she added.

Through PACI, the World Economic Forum has worked for more than a decade to catalyse anti-corruption collective action initiatives and best practices, and supports the work of leading CEOs and their organizations who have committed to the PACI Principles of zero tolerance against all forms of corruption. PACI recently launched its Vanguard community, a group of 25 CEOs and chairpersons who are committed to designing corruption out of the system. The PACI Vanguard is chaired by David T. Seaton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fluor Corporation, USA.