The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has inaugurated members of its reconstituted Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), NCCE Chapter, with a charge to uphold integrity and tackle corruption in the system. The inauguration and induction ceremony took place on the 27th August, 2025, at the Chukwuemeka Ezeife Conference Hall, NCCE, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, said the re-selection of the ACTU members was based on the trust and confidence reposed in them by management. He urged them to justify the confidence by proving their incorruptible qualities and working to entrench transparency in the system. “Your membership was based on your personal integrity, experience, and qualifications. We hope that this crop of ACTU members will deliver on their mandates without fear or favour,” Okwelle said.



Prof. Okwelle, who was represented by Mr. Babatunde Lawrence Aremu, Director of Special Duties, explained that corruption had continued to hinder Nigeria’s growth and must be tackled collectively. He stressed that the Commission, by its mandate, is committed to due process and accountability both in the public service and in Colleges of Education. “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill our dear nation. Nothing, therefore, should be left unturned to sanitize our country and make it a pride to the citizenry,” he added.

Also delivering a goodwill message, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by Mr. Olusegun Adigun, Director of System Study and Review, described ACTUs as government-recognized anti-corruption platforms within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). “The ACTU functions as a complementary body to Management, operating under the direct oversight of the Executive Secretary,” he said.



Dr. Aliyu highlighted the key responsibilities of ACTUs, including staff sensitization on anti-corruption, corruption risk assessments, monitoring of budget implementation, and enforcing adherence to ethical standards. He congratulated the NCCE ACTU members on their appointment and urged them to carry out their duties with diligence, professionalism, and integrity. He further called on NCCE Management to provide the Unit with adequate funding, facilities, and representation in standing committees.

In his inaugural speech, Chairman of the ACTU NCCE Chapter, Barrister Bello Abdullahi, expressed appreciation to the Commission for the confidence reposed in the members. He assured both NCCE and ICPC of the Unit’s total commitment to the fight against corruption. “On behalf of ACTU members, I assure the ICPC and the NCCE Management of our maximum cooperation so that the end result shall be zero tolerance to corruption in the Commission and in all NCE awarding institutions,” he said.