Anti graft agency to review Nigerian tertiary institutions

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced plans to embark on a system review of tertiary institutions in the country.

The decision was reached at a meeting between the leadership of ICPC and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The review according to the commission is in line with Section 6 of the ICPC Act.

Acting chairman of the ICPC, Mr. Nta Ekpo said the review is aimed at identifying and correcting corruption-prone processes in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Ekpo said preliminary investigations by the commission points towards utter disregard and failure of regulatory systems within the academic institutions which has allowed many forms of corruption.

He announced the increasing number of petitions from students, staff and other stakeholders in tertiary schools alleging all manners of corrupt practices. According to Ekpo, the investigation reveals the absence and failure of regulatory systems hence the need for the review.

He says the review will form policies and guidelines to improve the quality of service delivery in the various institutions. The ICPC boss however warns that after the exercise the commission will not fail to sanction any institution which falls short of the standards to be put in place.

Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie, who endorsed the exercise, however wants government to ensure that only qualified persons are included in the governing boards of these institutions as poor governance contributes to the challenges in the tertiary institutions.

Three universities have been shortlisted from the federal, state and privately owned universities to start the review. These include University of Nigeria Nsukka, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago -Iwoye and Salem University in Kogi state.