By Al-Mustapha A. Mustapha
Forty private secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have joined the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Students Anti-Corruption Clubs as the agency expands its integrity campaign to private schools.
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Speaking at the inauguration of the clubs in Abuja on Thursday, the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), said the commission was shifting part of its strategy to directly engage students through regular visits to schools.
The inauguration marks the first time the commission is extending the Students Anti-Corruption Clubs to private secondary schools in the FCT, a move aimed at exposing more students to integrity and ethical leadership from an early age
“We are now shifting our policy. From time to time, I will be visiting schools impromptu to talk to students for about 20 minutes to tell them why they need to have good moral values. I will also encourage them to study well so they can acquire sound education that will help this country in the future,” he said.
Aliyu said the initiative marked a major shift, as the commission had over the years concentrated on establishing anti-corruption clubs in public secondary schools.
He explained that involving private schools would broaden efforts to instil integrity, honesty and accountability in young Nigerians.
According to him, youth engagement remains one of the commission’s major anti-corruption strategies, adding that more than 20 million young Nigerians have passed through its integrity reorientation programmes since 2003.
“It is estimated that over 20 million Nigerian youths have passed through this integrity reorientation from 2003 to date,” he said.
The ICPC chairman urged students to respect their parents and teachers, remain disciplined and take their education seriously.
“You are our future leaders. Respect your teachers, respect your parents and acquire knowledge. Among you, we will have future governors, ministers, professors, medical doctors, engineers and even future ICPC chairmen,” he said.
The FCT Chairperson of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Dorothy Okwuenu, who represented the association’s national president, welcomed the inclusion of private schools in the programme.
She said education should focus not only on academic excellence but also on character development.
“We remain committed to partnering with stakeholders to promote ethical values and create learning environments where honesty, discipline and integrity flourish,” she said.
Gina Essien, a representative of Step Up Nigeria, said corruption often begins with everyday actions such as examination malpractice, lying and jumping queues.
“Integrity begins by telling the truth when it is difficult, returning what does not belong to you and choosing to do the right thing even when nobody is watching,” she said.
Students inducted into the clubs said they would promote integrity in their schools by discouraging examination malpractice and other dishonest practices.
The Head Boy of Adeola International School, Kubwa, Tiamiyu Riliwan Ishola, said the fight against corruption begins with personal choices.
“I feel the best thing I can do is to be someone with integrity by saying no to things that are not right, like cheating and stealing,” he said.
Another student, Emeka Ebube of Unity High School, Kubwa, said he would encourage his classmates to practise integrity and spread the values across the school.
The inauguration was attended by representatives of partner organisations, including Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Step Up Nigeria, Gender Mobile Initiative, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and NAPPS.
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