"UI Has Internalised Anti Corruption Practices," VC Assures

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale has assured the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that the University of Ibadan had internalised anti corruption practices even before the resuscitation of the Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the university.

He gave this assurance while receiving the Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner for Oyo/Ogun States, Mr. C.P. Ogwuegbu during a courtesy visit to his office.

Professor Adebowale stated that the Committee System of the University is one of the control mechanisms that ensure checks and balances that minimize abuse of power by the leaders.

He said the University also has a Centre for Social Orientation which provides anti-cultism services; a SERVICOM Office which ensures best practices; and a Directorate of Quality Assurance to enforce ethical academic behaviour.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that it is inherent in the nature of man to do things that are wrong such that corruption has become a broader societal challenge that requires collective responsibility, not just enforcement by agencies.

He lamented that the corruption index of Nigeria is very high and needed to be addressed. 

He commended the ICPC for effectively carrying out its onerous duties and assured that the University of Ibadan will do all in its power to make the job of the commission easier.

Professor Adebowale said the ACTU already has an office allocated to it and assured that the Unit will be given all that it may require to function effectively despite budgetary limitations.

He also charged the ICPC to take advantage of the courses being offered in the Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies to train its staff. 

He gave an assurance of the university's support to outreach efforts by the ICPC through the leveraging of its internal communication platforms, campus media and orientation programs, to sensitize students and staff on the dangers of corruption.

The Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner for Oyo/Ogun States, Mr. C.P. Ogwuegbu had earlier sought the collaboration of UI to achieve the mandate of the commission.

He described the visit as both strategic and symbolic, noting that universities play a critical role in shaping values and future leadership.

He outlined the Commission’s plan to deepen engagement through its Anti-Corruption Academy, where staff and students of the university will be invited to participate in periodic training programmes aimed at building ethical leadership and governance capacity.

Mr Ogwuegbu reaffirmed the commitment of the ICPC to tackling corruption at the institutional level through a new partnership with the University of Ibadan, focusing on prevention, education, and system reform.

He said that the Commission would soon embark on a System Study and Review Exercise and urged the University to cooperate by releasing promptly to the Commission all documents that may be requested.

He clarified that the exercise is not investigative but preventive, designed to identify weaknesses and recommend improvements that align with anti-corruption standards.

According to him, UI and ICPC are partners in progress and he emphasized the need for proactive collaboration to promote transparency and accountability adding that early intervention could eliminate the need for enforcement actions such as investigations or arrests.