The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s basic education sector through stronger collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission.
Dr. Aliyu made this known during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, and her management team to the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening institutional cooperation between the two agencies to improve governance and service delivery in Nigeria’s education system.
In his remarks, Dr. Aliyu emphasized the shared mandate of both institutions to ensure transparency, accountability, and good governance in the management of public resources, particularly those dedicated to basic education.
He commended Dr. Garba’s leadership at UBEC and the Commission’s commitment to providing free, compulsory, and quality basic education for every Nigerian child. Dr. Aliyu noted that the ICPC’s anti-corruption efforts extend beyond enforcement to preventive measures, education, and system studies and reviews to strengthen integrity in public institutions.
Highlighting ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), Dr. Aliyu described it as a critical tool in monitoring UBEC-funded projects across the country. CEPTI ensures value for money, quality delivery, and transparency in the execution of educational infrastructure and programs, aligning with UBEC’s mission to expand equitable access to quality education nationwide.
Dr. Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, reaffirmed the Commission’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, stressing UBEC’s proactive steps to entrench integrity and accountability in its operations.
She disclosed that UBEC has established Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across all its offices to mainstream ethical conduct and transparency within the organization.
Dr. Garba also revealed that UBEC has achieved full compliance with the Public Procurement Act, having recently undergone a procurement audit conducted by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). The audit outcome demonstrates UBEC’s commitment to upholding financial discipline and due process.
The two institutions have agreed to deepen collaboration, with Dr. Aliyu proposing the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize and strengthen the existing partnership. This will enhance their collective effort to safeguard Nigeria’s educational resources and promote integrity in governance.
PR: Adamu Yusuf
