The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba, has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to join forces with the Commission in tackling corruption in the management of basic education funds.
Aisha 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).
She stated that the audit outcome demonstrates UBEC’s commitment to upholding financial discipline and due process. She added that all public officers within the Commission at headquarters, zonal, state, and local levels have subscribed to a Code of Transparency, ensuring accountability across all tiers of operation.
“Partnership with the ICPC is strategic and essential for strengthening preventive mechanisms against corruption, noting that UBEC seeks the Commission’s technical support in implementing anti-corruption frameworks across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory” she said.
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) while responding to Aisha 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 (UBEC).
Aliyu made this known when he warmly received the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba and her management team during a courtesy visit to the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja.
He emphasized 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 stated that “The collaboration would help ensure that funds allocated for educational development are efficiently utilized for the benefit of Nigerian children”.
Aliyu, who commended Dr. Aisha’s leadership at UBEC and the Commission’s unwavering commitment to providing free, compulsory, and quality basic education for every Nigerian child reiterated that the ICPC’s anti-corruption efforts extend beyond enforcement, encompassing preventive measures, education, and system studies and reviews to strengthen integrity in public institutions.
He explained that CEPTI ensures value for money, quality delivery, and transparency in the execution of educational infrastructure and programs, which aligns with UBEC’s mission to expand equitable access to quality education nationwide.
Aliyu proposed the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize and strengthen the existing partnership, thereby enhancing the collective effort to safeguard Nigeria’s educational resources and promote integrity in governance.
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