EFCC charges higher institutions to introduce anti-corruption courses

As part of measures to curb the menace of corruption in the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has charged higher institutions to introduce anti-corruption courses as a major course for all the first year students.

EFCC said the course would properly equip undergraduates higher and tertiary institutions with the necessary knowledge and understanding about the pervasive issue of corruption in the country and the significant roles they can play in combating it.

A statement on Tuesday by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the commission’s Kano Zonal Director, Ibrahim Shazali, made the call while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of the Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Prof Mukhtar Kurawa in his office.

“Given the alarming rate of corrupt practices that continue to hinder Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and stability, the EFCC believes that the educational sector holds a vital responsibility in shaping the moral fabric of future leaders.

“An anti-corruption course will not only enlighten students about the detrimental effects of corruption but will also instil values of integrity, accountability and patriotism,” the statement quoted Shazali as saying.

Continuing, the Kano Director explained the rationale of his proposal, saying, “I think it is important to introduce anti-corruption studies in the university system and make it a prerequisite alongside general studies at 100 level for every student to have an idea about corruption and what it takes to be of good character.”

He further disclosed that the EFCC in its public enlightenment and engagement campaigns, already has Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance for Corruption Clubs in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions respectively, and assured the VC that such clubs would soon be established in Yusuf Maitama University.

On the issue of corruption, Shazali enjoined the VC to be diligent, especially in the bursary and procurement departments of the university as those two departments are more vulnerable to corruption according to facts available to the EFCC.

Earlier in his opening remark, Kurawa disclosed that the university has recently established the Department of Cybersecurity to address the pressing need for skilled professionals in the field of information technology and security.

“The proliferation of cyber threats, data breaches and online fraud pose significant challenges to individuals, businesses and government institutions in Nigeria and around the world,” he said.

He sought the establishment of a forensic laboratory for equipping students with the practical skills and necessary tools to combat cyber-related challenges, urging the Kano Command of the EFCC to come to the university’s aid to meet the need.