In a decisive move to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s technical and vocational education, Edo State Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) have pledged to deepen their collaborative efforts in the fight against examination malpractice and certificate fraud.
The renewed commitment emerged recently during a high-level courtesy visit by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) for Edo State, Barrister Adenekan Shogunle, fsi, and his delegation to the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu, at the Board’s headquarters in Benin City.
Barrister Shogunle, conveying the warm regards of ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, underscored the Commission’s unwavering dedication to forging strategic alliances that combat corruption and bolster institutional integrity. He emphasised that NABTEB occupies a pivotal role in cultivating the skilled workforce essential for national growth and economic advancement.
“Examination malpractice, certificate forgery, and other forms of academic fraud are not merely administrative infractions; they are fundamental threats to professional competence and public confidence,” Barrister Shogunle asserted.Â
The RACC elaborated on the ICPC’s three-pronged mandate: investigation and prosecution, public enlightenment, and corruption prevention through systematic scrutiny and reform. He noted that these instruments continue to be deployed effectively to promote transparency and accountability across public institutions.
Drawing on the Commission’s robust enforcement history, Barrister Shogunle cited landmark interventions including the closure of 62 unaccredited degree-awarding institutions, the dismantling of a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, rigorous verification of public officers’ academic credentials, and the prosecution of sexual predators within educational settings.
In his response, Dr. Mohammed Aminu outlined NABTEB’s statutory responsibilities, which encompass the administration of the National Technical Certificate (NTC), National Business Certificate (NBC), Advanced National Business and Technical Certificate examinations, Modular Trade Certificates, and the National Common Entrance Examinations for technical and vocational education.
Dr. Aminu reaffirmed the Board’s steadfast commitment to preserving the credibility of its assessments through technology-driven monitoring systems and sophisticated intelligence-gathering mechanisms during examination exercises.
In a significant development, the Registrar formally requested the ICPC’s assistance in conducting discreet, intelligence-led oversight of NABTEB examination centres nationwide. This initiative aims to detect and deter examination malpractice and other corrupt practices before they can undermine theÂ
Furthermore, Dr. Aminu called upon the Commission to organise sensitisation programmes for NABTEB management and staff on anti-corruption legislation, professional ethics, integrity, and civic responsibility—measures designed to embed a culture of accountability within the Board’s institutional framework.
The meeting concluded with both organisations reaffirming their mutual commitment to promoting integrity, accountability, and excellence in Nigeria’s education system through sustained partnership and proactive anti-corruption measures.