The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) has launched an anti-corruption template to curb corruption in tertiary institutions.
The template was officially presented to the public by the ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta in the Commission’s auditorium in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mr. Nta during the presentation said the template has become necessary due to the avalanche of petitions coming from tertiary institutions.
He pointed out that the ICPC in collaboration with Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) had done a system review of selected tertiary institutions comprising public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education and found some level of corruption.
He said the two agencies and the office of the President on Ethics and Values held a conference on Transparency, Accountability and Ethical Values in tertiary institutions for sustainable development to address the challenges.
He added that the staff of the Commission would be attached to tertiary institutions after undergoing special training on corruption courses for effective implementation of the template.
He advised TETFund to reduce delays associated with access to its funds by decentralizing the process.
The Chairman of TETFund Professor Musa Babayo who received the template commended the Commission for introducing a blueprint to curb corruption in high institutions within the country.
He however lamented that about N65 billion is lying fallow with the Central Bank of Nigeria due to the inability of tertiary institutions to access the fund.
He said this is worrisome given the dearth of infrastructural and intellectual development in the nation’s high education sector.
“I am glad to let you know that with ICPC intervention, in accessed funds has been drastically reduced to ensure transparency and accountability is in place.
‘He added that the funds were effectively and efficiently used by various institutions that deserve them.’
A board member of ICPC, Professor Olu Aina, who spoke during the presentation said, the document will serve as a guide and a reference material in institutions which will be used for sensitization and accountability in the education sector.
He further mentioned that, in improving quality education in Nigeria, the place of ethics and moral values cannot be over emphasized.
Transparency workshops were also recommended to be organized to create awareness in tertiary institutions on how corruption can be brought to the barest minimum. Further study of all tertiary institutions by the ICPC was also a recommendation in the report.