Mrs. Ese Miriam Okwong, a Deputy Director in the Planning, Research and Statistics Department of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has been inducted as a Fellow of the Security Institute of Nigeria. The fellowship follows her successful completion of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC 18) at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Bwari, Abuja, from which she graduated on 6th December 2025.

Reflecting on the intensive ten-month programme, Mrs. Okwong described it as a major career milestone, providing advanced training in leadership, security, and intelligence management. She emphasised that the course has reinforced her commitment to the anti-corruption fight and equipped her with enhanced skills in strategic networking, inter-agency collaboration, and intelligence gathering.

Having joined the ICPC in 2002 as a pioneer staff member, Mrs. Okwong rose through the ranks to her current position, which qualified her for the executive training. Her approach to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges is distinctly preventive and community-focused. She advocates for tackling the root causes of threats by actively involving non-state actors, including civil society, community groups, traditional institutions, and the media.

This philosophy was central to her research thesis at the NISS, which examined the ICPC’s community-centred advocacy. The study underscored the necessity for a collective ownership of the anti-corruption effort, engaging government, institutions, the private sector, and citizens alike. Among its key recommendations were sustained stakeholder engagement, stronger political will, judicial reforms, and the use of advanced technology for transparency.

During her time at the Institute, Mrs. Okwong also concurrently undertook a Master’s degree in Peace and Security Studies, affiliated with the University of Ilorin, an experience she found demanding yet transformative.

Offering advice to aspiring security professionals, she highlighted the importance of critical thinking, continuous learning, and technological innovation. She also encouraged fellow ICPC officers to uphold the Commission’s core values of professionalism, integrity, and tenacity.

Looking ahead, Mrs. Okwong expressed her readiness to further support the ICPC’s preventive mandate through policy advocacy, coalition-building, community engagement, and mentoring the next generation of anti-corruption and security professionals.