ICPC, Ministry of Works launch massive audit of 760 road projects worth N36Trillion

By James Ike

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works, has commenced an unprecedented nationwide audit of 760 federal road projects valued at more than N36 trillion.

The Special Tracking Exercise, which began on November 14, 2025, involves joint teams of ICPC investigators, engineers from the Ministry of Works, and independent experts, including members of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS). The teams have been deployed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to conduct comprehensive physical verification and performance assessments of the selected projects.

According to a statement by the ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, the large-scale operation is designed to strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s infrastructure procurement and delivery processes.

The agency listed the major objectives of the audit to include enhancing fiscal governance, ensuring cost-effective infrastructure spending, and improving integrity in government contracting. The exercise will also enforce contractor accountability by scrutinising project execution, compelling completion of abandoned works, and ensuring compliance with contractual standards.

Additionally, the commission aims to recover public funds from contractors found to have inflated project costs or failed to execute jobs paid for by the government.

The field teams are currently reviewing project sites, technical records, and documented deliverables. At the end of the assignment, state-level findings will be consolidated into a national audit report, highlighting levels of compliance, uncovering irregularities, and recommending enforcement actions against individuals, companies, or officials implicated in wrongdoing.

“This exercise represents a proactive, system-driven approach to safeguarding our national infrastructure investments,” the ICPC noted.

“Tracking 760 projects of this magnitude underscores our resolve to close leakages, promote accountability, and ensure that public projects translate into tangible public good.”

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s public procurement framework through collaborative governance and stringent oversight.