The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expanded its anti-corruption campaign to private schools with the inauguration of Students Anti-Corruption Clubs (SACs) in 40 private secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Thursday, ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu (SAN), described the initiative as a significant departure from the commission’s previous focus on establishing anti-corruption clubs primarily in public secondary schools.
Aliyu said the inauguration marked another milestone in the commission’s efforts to deepen integrity and ethical values among young Nigerians.
According to him, youth engagement remains one of ICPC’s core preventive strategies in line with Section 6(e-f) of the ICPC Act, 2000, which mandates the commission to educate and mobilise young people against corruption.
He recalled that since its establishment in 2000, the commission had introduced several interventions in the education sector, including the National Values Curriculum (NVC), developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to instil integrity and positive values in students.
Aliyu disclosed that the curriculum is currently undergoing review after the successful completion of its first implementation phase.
He explained that the progress recorded at the basic education level informed the creation of Students Anti-Corruption Clubs (SACs) in secondary schools and Students Anti-Corruption Vanguards (SAVs) in tertiary institutions nationwide.
He said an estimated 20 million Nigerian youths have participated in the commission’s integrity reorientation programmes since 2003, underscoring the impact of the initiative.
Addressing the students, the ICPC chairman said their induction was more than a ceremonial visit, stressing that integrity remains the foundation of every prosperous society.
He expressed confidence that participation in the clubs would deepen the students’ understanding of anti-corruption efforts and inspire them to make ethical choices throughout their lives.
Aliyu also commended the commission’s development partners, including Gender Mobile Initiative, Women Aid Collective, Step-Up Nigeria, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools for supporting the programme.
He equally praised teachers for their commitment to nurturing students with integrity and good character.
Director of the ICPC Public Enlightenment and Education Department, Demola Bakare, announced a new strategy approved by the ICPC chairman to strengthen the commission’s engagement with educational institutions.
He said the chairman and officials of the department would begin unscheduled visits to schools to hold interactive sessions with students on values capable of driving Nigeria’s development.
Bakare further disclosed that the commission would also integrate its school engagements into Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings to create a platform where parents, teachers and students can jointly participate in value reorientation programmes.
Representatives of the commission’s development partners commended ICPC for sustaining preventive anti-corruption initiatives through values-based education.
They urged students to reject examination malpractice, dishonesty and other unethical practices while embracing integrity, accountability and responsible citizenship.
Some of the students who spoke after the inauguration pledged to champion the anti-corruption campaign in their respective schools.
A student of Adeola International School, Kubwa, Tiamiyu Rilwan, said he would begin by demonstrating integrity among his peers.
“At this stage, I believe the best way to fight corruption is to live with integrity. I will actively support the campaign through the Students Anti-Corruption Club,” he said.
Another student, Toona Obinna, said corruption could be tackled in schools by leading by example and reporting unethical practices to school authorities.
“We can stop corruption in our schools by reporting unethical conduct to the appropriate authorities and educating other students on the importance of integrity,” he said
