Agencies Partner To Fight Corruption In Education Sector

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have partnered to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s basic education sector.

At the ICPC headquarters in Abuja yesterday, the ICPC chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to tackling graft in the education system.

Aliyu, while welcoming the executive secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, and her management team during a courtesy visit to the ICPC headquarters, emphasised the shared mandate of both institutions in ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance in the management of public resources, particularly those dedicated to basic education.

He said the partnership aims to ensure efficient utilization of funds allocated for educational development, benefiting Nigerian children. ICPC’s anti-corruption efforts, including preventive measures, education, and system reviews, will support UBEC’s mission to provide quality basic education.

According to the director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare, “ICPC’s anti-corruption efforts, including preventive measures, education, and system reviews, will support UBEC’s mission to provide quality basic education.

“Key initiatives include the establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across UBEC’s offices and ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI) to monitor UBEC-funded projects.”

Also, Garba reaffirmed UBEC’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, highlighting achievements such as full compliance with the Public Procurement Act and a Code of Transparency for public officers.

LEADERSHIP reports that the agencies plan to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise and strengthen their partnership, enhancing efforts to safeguard educational resources and promote integrity in governance.

The visit concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration between the two institutions. Dr Aliyu proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the partnership.