The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to a formal partnership with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSE) to strengthen advocacy, prevent corruption, and bolster national efforts aimed at reintegrating millions of vulnerable children into the educational system.
In a statement by Okor Odey Spokesperson for the Commission, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, gave the assurance when he received the Executive Secretary of NCAOOSE, Dr. Mohammed Sani Idris, and his delegation in his office at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu who said the discussion focused on national survival and leadership continuity, described NCAOOSE as a critical institution in safeguarding Nigeria’s future. Drawing on his experience as Attorney-General in Jigawa State, he noted that keeping children in school remains a difficult but essential task.
The ICPC boss stressed that children must remain under responsible parental guidance while also receiving quality education to preserve the nation’s future leadership, warning that young persons should not be burdened with responsibilities beyond their years.
Dr. Aliyu expressed his interest in finalising Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies. The MOU would provide a robust framework for collaboration, enabling the ICPC to deploy strategic anti-corruption tools such as Corruption Risk Assessment to pre-emptively block financial leakages and enhance transparency within NCAOOSE’s educational intervention frameworks.
He further highlighted the role of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria in driving behavioural change and building integrity capacity, adding that ICPC would leverage its initiatives to support NCAOOSE in delivering its mandate effectively and transparently.
Dr. Mohammed Sani Idris had painted a stark picture of looming national crisis, drawing on UNICEF statistics that place the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria at over 18.3 million. He detailed the plight of Almajiri and other vulnerable children, who are not merely missing an education but are exposed to severe risks including sexual abuse, medical neglect, and other societal dangers.
He lamented the abdication of parental responsibility, stressing that child neglect and street begging stand in direct opposition to both moral imperatives and religious teachings. It is within this context of profound vulnerability, he argued, that a robust partnership with the ICPC becomes indispensable. Tackling the corruption-related factors that exacerbate the education gap, particularly in advocacy and resource allocation, is crucial to safeguarding this demographic.
Dr. Idris appealed for budgetary support stating that despite operating approximately 200 learning centres and identifying over 700,000 out-of-school children for intervention, the Commission faces constrained by inadequate funding, a lack of office infrastructure, and an insufficient fleet of operational vehicles.
He therefore called on ICPC chairman to leverage his office to advocate for improved budgetary support for NCAOOSE from the relevant authorities.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
