United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has urged the Federal Government to evolve strategies to prevent corruption rather than fight it.

UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristina Albertin, gave the advice on Monday in Calabar during a workshop organised by UNODC on “Corruption Prevention in Nigeria’’.

The workshop was organised for anti-corruption agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The Bureau of Public Procurement also participated in the workshop.

Albertin said the workshop was aimed at getting relevant agencies to brainstorm and out with modalities that would help Nigeria to prevent corruption in its public and private sectors.

She said UNODC was in support of the current administration’s efforts to tackle corruption, but urged urgent adoption of preventive measures.

According to the official, if the government can come out with a holistic approach on corruption prevention, it will spend less money and efforts in arresting and prosecuting corrupt officials.

The fight against corruption in Nigeria has been given more attention than the need to evolve strategies to prevent corruption.

It should not only be that people are arrested and prosecuted for corruption; it should also be on record that the government is working tirelessly to prevent corruption.

Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye said the workshop was timely.

Owasanoye, represented by a member of the committee, Segun Adesanya, hailed the UNODC for playing a vital role in the Nigeria’s fight against corruption.

A Consultant with UNODC on Corruption Prevention, Prof. Victor Ayeni, said the outcome of the workshop would be used to determine the way forward in tackling corruption in Nigeria.