Kashim Shettima has called for the full digitisation of asset declaration processes for public officers in Nigeria, urging the Code of Conduct Bureau to adopt a secure electronic system that enhances transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation led by CCB Chairman Abdullahi Usman Bello, Shettima stressed the need for the bureau to remain strictly apolitical and independent in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
He said the introduction of electronic asset declaration would eliminate delays associated with paper-based processes and align Nigeria’s governance systems with global best practices.
According to him, public officials should be able to declare their assets and liabilities from any location without physically visiting CCB offices, describing the current reforms as a step in the right direction but urging faster implementation.
“There is no need for public officials thronging your offices trying to fill in forms,” the Vice President said, adding that a digital platform would also improve compliance and reduce administrative bottlenecks.
Shettima further noted that strengthening the CCB’s digital capacity would enhance Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework and improve the country’s international reputation for transparency and accountability.
He also warned that the bureau must avoid political interference, insisting that its credibility depends on neutrality and strict adherence to its mandate.
Earlier, the CCB Chairman commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President for reforms aimed at strengthening the institution, including increased budgetary support and ongoing digitisation efforts.
Bello said the bureau has intensified verification, investigation, and enforcement activities, leading to recoveries of assets both within and outside Nigeria, including in London.
He added that the CCB is currently undergoing major reforms designed to improve efficiency, enhance compliance, and strengthen the country’s anti-corruption drive.
The bureau assured that with continued government support, it would deepen its operations and ensure that public officers comply with asset declaration laws.
Analysts say the push for digital asset declaration is part of broader efforts by the federal government to modernise governance systems, reduce corruption risks, and improve public trust in institutions.
The initiative is also expected to improve monitoring of public officials’ wealth declarations and strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international transparency standards.
