The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have renewed their partnership to strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s education sector.
Both agencies pledged to ensure that funds for schools are properly used and that leakages in the system are blocked through reforms and digital monitoring tools.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, emphasised the need for stronger accountability when he hosted UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, and her team in Abuja.
He said the ICPC would work more closely with UBEC to ensure that resources meant for classrooms, infrastructure, and learning materials reach the intended beneficiaries.
“Our mandate goes beyond enforcement,” Dr. Aliyu said. “We also focus on prevention, education, and system studies to build institutional integrity.”
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According to Dr. Aliyu, the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI) remains a vital tool for monitoring UBEC-funded projects.
He noted that CEPTI helps ensure quality delivery and value for money, aligning with UBEC’s mission to expand access to quality basic education.
To sustain this partnership, the ICPC plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UBEC, aimed at embedding anti-corruption practices across the education sector.
UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, reaffirmed the Commission’s zero-tolerance for corruption.
She said UBEC has already established Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in all offices nationwide to promote ethical conduct.
Dr. Garba added that UBEC now fully complies with the Public Procurement Act, following an audit by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
“The audit confirms that we operate with strong financial discipline,” she said. “Every officer has signed a Code of Transparency to ensure due process.”
Dr. Garba described the partnership with ICPC as strategic and future-focused.
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She said both agencies aim to create a culture of integrity that guarantees every education fund serves its purpose.
“Our collaboration with ICPC goes beyond oversight,” she noted. “It is about building systems that prevent corruption before it happens.”
The meeting ended with a joint pledge to develop new frameworks for transparent project delivery and better service outcomes in Nigeria’s basic education system.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
