Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) have pledged to deepen their collaborative efforts in the fight against examination malpractice and certificate fraud, in a decisive move to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria's technical and vocational education. The renewed commitment emerged during a high-level courtesy visit by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) for Edo State, Barrister Adenekan Shogunle, and his delegation to the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu, at the Board's headquarters in Benin City. The meeting, which also served as a platform for both institutions to reaffirm their shared commitment to transparency, integrity, and good governance, signals a significant escalation in the war against academic fraud, which stakeholders have described as a fundamental threat to professional competence and public confidence.
Barrister Shogunle, who conveyed the warm regards of ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, underscored the Commission's unwavering dedication to forging strategic alliances that combat corruption and bolster institutional integrity. Emphasising NABTEB's pivotal role in cultivating the skilled workforce essential for national growth and economic advancement, the RACC elaborated on the ICPC's three-pronged mandate: investigation and prosecution, public enlightenment, and corruption prevention through systematic scrutiny and reform. Drawing on the Commission's robust enforcement history, Barrister Shogunle cited landmark interventions, including the closure of 62 unaccredited degree-awarding institutions, the dismantling of a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, rigorous verification of public officers' academic credentials, and the prosecution of sexual predators within educational settings. "Examination malpractice, certificate forgery, and other forms of academic fraud are not merely administrative infractions; they are fundamental threats to professional competence and public confidence," Barrister Shogunle asserted, noting that the ICPC has identified examination integrity as a critical area requiring sustained attention given the strategic role examination bodies play in shaping the nation's educational and professional standards.
In his response, Dr. Mohammed Aminu outlined NABTEB's statutory responsibilities, which encompass the administration of the National Technical Certificate (NTC), National Business Certificate (NBC), Advanced National Business and Technical Certificate examinations, Modular Trade Certificates, and the National Common Entrance Examinations for technical and vocational education. The Registrar reaffirmed the Board's steadfast commitment to preserving the credibility of its assessments through technology-driven monitoring systems and sophisticated intelligence-gathering mechanisms during examination exercises. In a significant development, Dr. Aminu formally requested the ICPC's assistance in conducting discreet, intelligence-led oversight of NABTEB examination centres nationwide, an initiative aimed at detecting and deterring examination malpractice and other corrupt practices before they can undermine the integrity of the system. He also called upon the Commission to organise sensitisation programmes for NABTEB management and staff on anti-corruption legislation, professional ethics, integrity, and civic responsibility—measures designed to embed a culture of accountability within the Board's institutional framework.
Addressing the operational measures already being implemented, Dr. Mohammed disclosed that NABTEB has introduced malpractice reporting forms for monitoring officers and is deploying technology-based monitoring tools, including GPS-enabled cameras, to improve oversight during examinations and ensure greater accountability among field officials. "We are strengthening our examination monitoring architecture. Through the deployment of GPS-enabled monitoring devices, we can verify the locations of our officers during examinations and improve the credibility of our monitoring processes," he stated. The Registrar further revealed that the Board recently thwarted an attempted examination malpractice operation at a technical college through proactive intelligence gathering and strategic deployment of senior officials, underscoring the effectiveness of its enhanced monitoring framework. He stressed that examination malpractice constitutes a serious breach of public trust and should attract appropriate sanctions in accordance with established laws and regulations, adding that offenders should be handed over to law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.
The Registrar also highlighted ongoing efforts by the Board to build institutional capacity through continuous staff development and training, noting that following every major examination exercise, NABTEB undertakes performance reviews to identify areas for improvement and equip personnel with the skills required to deliver efficiently. According to him, the Board recently facilitated training programmes for more than twenty drivers and continues to invest in human capital development across all cadres of staff. Dr. Mohammed further called for collaboration between NABTEB and the ICPC in advancing national advocacy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), emphasising the need to shift societal focus from mere certificate acquisition to practical competencies and employable skills. "One of the campaigns we would like the ICPC to join us in promoting is skills development. As a nation, we must begin to place greater emphasis on what individuals can do rather than merely the certificates they possess. Skills acquisition and competency-based education are critical to national development and economic self-reliance," he said.
The meeting concluded with both organisations reaffirming their mutual commitment to promoting integrity, accountability, and excellence in Nigeria's education system through sustained partnership and proactive anti-corruption measures. The Edo State Resident Commissioner of the ICPC commended Dr. Mohammed for his transformative leadership at NABTEB and reaffirmed the Commission's readiness to partner with the Board in promoting transparency and accountability. "We are here to build institutional synergy and reaffirm our joint responsibility in promoting integrity and accountability. This visit is an opportunity to strengthen our partnership with NABTEB, particularly in areas relating to examination integrity and ethical conduct," Barrister Shogunle said. As the fight against examination malpractice intensifies, the collaboration between the ICPC and NABTEB represents a critical front in the broader battle to restore public confidence in Nigeria's educational system and ensure that technical and vocational qualifications genuinely reflect the knowledge, skills, and competence of their holders.
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