The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has appointed Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim as the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to research-driven and capacity-focused anti-corruption efforts.
Spokesperson/Head, Media and Public Communications of the Commission, J. Okor Odey, said the appointment was announced on Monday, 26 January 2026, during the Commission’s 2026 Retreat, following the completion of the tenure of Professor Tunde Babawale, whom Professor Ibrahim succeeds.
Professor Ibrahim is a distinguished scholar and seasoned academic administrator with extensive expertise in governance, international relations and development studies. He is currently the Director of the International Centre at the University of Abuja and has previously served as Head of the Department of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Legislative Studies.
His scholarly work aligns strongly with the mandate of ACAN. He is the originator of the “post-colonial internalism” theory, which identifies corruption as a central impediment to Africa’s political and socio-economic development.
The university don has an impressive research portfolio, with influential publications on leadership, governance and corruption in Nigeria. His academic contributions include over a dozen books and more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Professor Ibrahim has also earned international recognition through fellowships from reputable institutions, including the Social Science Research Council and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In addition, he has participated in major global policy engagements, including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), bringing a strong comparative and international outlook to his work.
The ICPC expressed confidence that his appointment will further strengthen ACAN’s research capacity, expand its training programmes and deepen international collaborations, thereby enhancing the Academy’s strategic role within Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture.
The Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) is ICPC’s specialised research and training institution, mandated to deliver capacity-building, applied research, integrity studies, and professional education in support of national and international anti-corruption initiatives.
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