Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari emphasized on Saturday the importance of continuing to fight corruption and preventing opportunities for corrupt practices in the country.

The president's remarks came while addressing the nation in a broadcast as part of activities to mark the nation's 62nd Independence Day on Saturday in Abuja, the nation's capital.

Referring to the achievements in anti-corruption during his presidential terms, Buhari said the progress was one step in the reform process, which he had vowed to continue.

"We strengthened the institutions for tackling corruption and also cultivated international support, which aided the repatriation of huge sums of money illegally kept outside the country," he said.

According to the president, the increasing number of prosecutions and convictions, with associated refunds of large sums of money, is still ongoing.