The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has charged Nigerian secondary school students to become ambassadors of integrity and positive behavior both within and outside their school environments. 
Dr. Aliyu gave the charge on Friday during the cluster inauguration of Students Anti-Corruption Clubs in nine secondary schools at the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by the Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Mr. Demola Bakare, fsi, the ICPC Chairman emphasized the strategic role of young people in the national anti-corruption effort, saying, “Youths are critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption. If they get it right at this stage, there is hope that Nigeria will be better,”.
He highlighted that one of the Commission’s flagship youth-focused initiatives, the National Values Curriculum (NVC), was developed to embed values-based education in the school system.
According to him, the NVC promotes uprightness and ethical conduct among students and equips them to reject corrupt practices., “To sustain youth engagement, the Commission introduced Values-Based Education through the National Values Curriculum after its establishment in 2000. “This initiative is aimed at instilling in young people moral integrity and a strong resistance to corruption.”
He urged the newly inducted club members to take their roles seriously and work actively to expand the reach and impact of the Students’ Anti-Corruption Clubs in their respective schools.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. John Odey, Deputy Director and Head of the Education Division of the ICPC, explained that the establishment of the Students Anti-Corruption Clubs is anchored on Sections 6(e) and (f) of the ICPC Act 2000, which empower the Commission to educate and enlist public support in the anti-corruption crusade.
Mr. Odey reiterated that today’s youths are tomorrow’s leaders and emphasized that equipping them with the right mindset and values is essential to building a future free of corruption. “The values, choices, and actions of students today will significantly shape the nation’s tomorrow,” he noted.
Delivering a goodwill message, Mr. Joshua Odidi, a representative of Step-Up Nigeria, applauded the partnership between his organization and the ICPC. He described it as a successful model of institutional collaboration aimed at empowering young people to reject corruption.
“Our partnership with the ICPC is producing a measurable impact. It proves that when institutions work together, we can meaningfully shape the next generation,” Odidi said, adding that Step-Up Nigeria remains committed to deepening the integration of anti-corruption education in schools across the country.
A major highlight of the event was the administration of the anti-corruption oath to newly inaugurated club members, led by Barr. L.C. Iheduru, a Deputy Superintendent in the ICPC’s Department of Legal Services.
The participating schools included:
- Federal Government Boys College, Abuja
- Doveland International School, Abuja
- Anglican Comprehensive Secondary School, Kubwa
- Goshen International Academy
- Perfect Success Academy, Masaka
- Life Gate Academy, Utako
- Federal Science and Technical College, Orozo
- Claret International School
- Community Staff Secondary School, Asokoro
The event underscores ICPC’s continued commitment to building a generation of ethically sound young Nigerians who will lead the charge for a corruption-free nation.