The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s basic education system through an enhanced collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
During a strategic session held in Abuja, both agencies highlighted the urgency of deepening cooperation to guarantee that funds allocated for basic education are judiciously used for their intended purposes. This renewed alliance forms part of broader efforts to strengthen integrity in the education sector, enhance service delivery, and restore public confidence—aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
UBEC, responsible for implementing the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child of school age has access to free and quality basic education. Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, acknowledged that corruption and mismanagement of education funds remain significant obstacles and emphasized that the Commission is introducing comprehensive reforms to address these issues.
Garba explained that the partnership with ICPC will build upon ongoing UBEC reforms, particularly through the establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs). These units are mandated to enforce compliance with financial and procurement regulations, promote ethical standards, and prevent fund misappropriation. “This collaboration will reinforce the delivery of free, quality basic education from pre-primary to junior secondary levels by ensuring that resources are effectively utilized. Through ACTUs, strict adherence to the Procurement and Finance Acts, and continuous capacity development, UBEC is championing integrity and good governance in the public education sector,” she stated.
She further stressed that accountability remains a core component of the Universal Basic Education framework, covering pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary education. By ensuring prudent resource management, UBEC seeks to close infrastructure gaps, improve teaching and learning outcomes, and guarantee that every Nigerian child fully benefits from the UBE policy.
Since its establishment in 2000, the ICPC has played a pivotal role in advancing ethical governance across public institutions. It has continued to collaborate with government bodies to strengthen internal control systems, encourage whistleblowing, and enhance the capacity of public servants in compliance and accountability.
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Education analysts have repeatedly linked stagnation in the sector to corruption—particularly in project execution and fund disbursement. Cases of abandoned classroom projects, misappropriated grants, and incomplete school facilities have intensified calls for increased transparency in education financing. The UBEC-ICPC collaboration is therefore viewed as a strategic intervention to confront these persistent challenges.
According to UBEC records, the Commission allocates billions of naira annually to state governments through matching grants for initiatives such as school infrastructure development, teacher capacity-building, and provision of learning materials. However, the impact of these interventions largely depends on transparency, effective oversight, and responsible fund utilization at the state and local government levels.
UBEC has also embarked on the digitization of its monitoring and evaluation systems to enhance real-time project tracking and minimize human interference. In addition, the Commission continues to engage civil society organizations, community-based groups, and development partners to foster transparency, accountability, and community ownership of school projects.
Both UBEC and ICPC reaffirmed that the overarching goal of their partnership is to ensure that every child in Nigeria gains equitable access to quality education. By promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity, they aim to establish a credible and sustainable foundation for the nation’s educational advancement.
The meeting concluded with a joint commitment to maintain the collaboration through periodic audits, continuous staff training on ethics and compliance, and public enlightenment campaigns that promote anti-corruption practices in the education sector.
