The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed to intensify efforts to tackle corruption within Nigeria’s basic education sector.
The commission’s Chairman, Musa Aliyu, made this commitment during a three-day capacity-building workshop for officials of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) and the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Represented by the ICPC Director of Special Services, Mrs. Grace Agha-Ibe, Aliyu expressed deep concern over the detrimental effects corrupt practices have had on the education system.
He emphasised the need for collective efforts to curb corruption, stressing that the basic education sector has been significantly impacted.
“Corruption is a cancer that has spread across every sector of our national life, and the education sector has not been spared.
The lower end of the education ladder, in particular, has witnessed more of its devastating impact,” he said.
Aliyu highlighted the consequences of a lack of transparency and accountability in the sector, urging officials to prioritise ethical practices in their operations.
He noted that corruption affects critical areas such as school enrolment, the provision of textbooks and equipment, the appointment and management of teachers, and the overall assessment of teaching and learning processes.
Citing a report by the British Council, Aliyu noted that Nigeria is home to a significant proportion of the world’s out-of-school children.
According to the British Council, about one-fifth of the world’s 60 million out-of-school children are in Nigeria.
Even for those who do access schooling, the quality of education they receive is often substandard, with little learning achieved,” he added.
The ICPC Chairman stressed the importance of maintaining transparency and ensuring proper supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of schools.
He urged education officials to work towards promoting accountability in order to improve the sector and provide better learning outcomes for Nigerian children.
The workshop, aimed at enhancing the capacity of education officials, forms part of the ICPC’s broader strategy to fight corruption in public sectors, including education.
Through such initiatives, the commission hopes to foster greater transparency and accountability in the management of basic education in Nigeria.
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