ICPC Tasks Tertiary Institutions on Stronger Controls, Accountability in TETFund Projects
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged heads of tertiary institutions across the country to strengthen internal controls, tackle corruption risks and ensure transparency in the management of interventions provided by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, gave the charge while declaring open a two-day Organisational Integrity Management Capacity-Building Programme for officials of TETFund beneficiary institutions in Abuja.
The programme was organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), the training and research arm of ICPC, with support from TETFund.
Dr Aliyu warned that weak procurement procedures, poor project supervision, conflicts of interest, ineffective internal controls and financial mismanagement could undermine investments in the nation’s tertiary education sector.
He emphasised that the impact of TETFund interventions would depend largely on the transparency and accountability demonstrated by beneficiary institutions in managing public resources.
“Integrity must not exist merely in policy documents or institutional mission statements. It must be reflected in everyday decisions, administrative processes, and the management of public resources,” he stated.
The ICPC Chairman urged institutional leaders to uphold ethical standards, enforce established procedures and establish safe channels through which staff and other stakeholders could report misconduct without fear of retaliation.
He also called for the institutionalisation of corruption risk assessments, improved documentation, proper segregation of duties, independent project verification and stronger reporting mechanisms.
According to him, the success of the programme should be measured by the practical improvements introduced in participating institutions rather than attendance or participation.
Dr Aliyu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to preventing corruption through System Study and Review, Corruption Risk Assessment, the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard and capacity-building initiatives organised by ACAN.
Earlier, ACAN Provost, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, said integrity in tertiary education should involve institutional leaders, academic and non-academic staff as well as students.
He identified honesty, accountability and fairness as fundamental principles for building trust and maintaining ethical standards in educational institutions.
Professor Ibrahim urged tertiary institutions to collaborate with ICPC in tackling administrative corruption, embezzlement, examination misconduct, monetisation of marks, sexual harassment and the existence of ghost workers.
Also speaking, TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, PhD, represented by the Director of Human Resources and General Administration, Dr Kolapo Okunlola, said funding alone could not guarantee development without accountable leadership and effective implementation.
He urged institutional heads to comply with procurement laws, financial regulations and TETFund guidelines while taking responsibility for project outcomes and protecting individuals who report misconduct.
Echono reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to transparency and accountability, urging participants to identify institutional weaknesses and apply the knowledge gained to improve the management of interventions.
He added that the impact of TETFund projects should be measured by the integrity of their implementation and their contributions to educational infrastructure, research and learning.
