ANTI-CORRUPTION ACADEMY OF NIGERIA INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES

ANTI-CORRUPTION ACADEMY OF NIGERIA INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION WORKSHOP ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY FOR NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS 6 – 7, 13 – 14 & 20 – 21 JULY 2015 PRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM STUDY AND REVIEW (USSR) REPORT BY PROFESSOR OLU AINA, OFR HON. MEMBER, ICPC

BACKGROUND INUNDATED DAILY WITH PETITIONS FROM STUDENTS, STAFF, UNIONS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS OF OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, ALLEGING ALL MANNER OF CORRUPT PRACTICES AND ABUSES, THE INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES & OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION (ICPC) DECIDED TO INVOKE THE STATUTORY MANDATE DERIVED FROM SECTION 6 (B)-(D) OF ITS ENABLING LAW TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS STUDY AND REVIEW OF THE NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM WITH THE PRINCIPAL AIM OF IDENTIFYING AND CORRECTING CORRUPTION-PRONE PROCESSES. HOWEVER, ICPC WAS CAREFUL IN MAKING THE INTERVENTION SPECIFIC IN A WAY THAT DID NOT CONFLICT WITH THE REGULATORY, SUPERVISORY AND/AUDITING ROLES OF THE VISITOR, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, COUNCILS AND INDEED THE NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION (NUC)

STUDY OBJECTIVE A KEY OBJECTIVE OF THE USSR WAS : TO EXAMINE THE PRACTICES, SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND ASCERTAIN WHICH OF SUCH PRACTICES, SYSTEMS OR PROCEDURES AID OR FACILITATE FRAUD OR CORRUPTION; IMPEDE ON QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY, OR OPEN TO MANIPULATION AND CIRCUMVENTION FOR PERSONAL GAINS AND CREATING SITUATION OF DELIBERATE OR INADVERTENT VICTIMIZATION OF STUDENTS AND STAFF.

STUDY DESIGN THE STUDY WAS INTENDED AS A FACT-FINDING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING EXERCISE THAT INVOLVED THE ADMINISTRATION OF SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES, RECEIPT OF MEMORANDA AND ORAL INTERVIEWS/PUBLIC HEARINGS. THREE (3) UNIVERSITIES, WERE SELECTED FOR A PILOT STUDY ON THE BASIS OF THE 3 TYPES OF PROPRIETORSHIP AND THE GEOGRAPHY OF NIGERIA (SAMPLES REFLECTING THE FEDERAL/STATE/PRIVATE UNIVERSITY OWNERSHIP AS WELL AS THE NORTH/WEST/EAST CHARACTERISTICS)

KEY FINDINGS THERE ARE EIGHT KEY ISSUE AREAS IN THE FINDINGS: 1. MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS 2. CONTRACT AWARDS AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT 3. APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTION AND DISCIPLINE OF STAFF 4. ADMISSIONS, ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION OF COURSES 5. EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION AND AWARD OF DEGREES 6. DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY GOVERNANCE

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS DIVERSION/VIREMENT/MISAPPLICATION OF FUNDS TO MEET OTHER NEEDS WITHOUT RECOURSE TO APPROPRIATE PROCEDURE IN APPROPRIATION. NON-PAYMENT OF SALARY AS AT WHEN DUE AND INABILITY TO PAY THE ARREARS OWED TO STAFF , LEADING TO LOW MORALE AND DISRUPTION OF ACADEMIC CALENDAR. LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE BUDGET MONITORING COMMITTEE BY THE AUTHORITIES NON-REMITTANCE OF PENSION, TAXES AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS LEADING LOW INCOME GENERATION AND INDUSTRIAL ACRIMONIES

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS (CONT.) LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY; MISAPPLICATION, MISAPPROPRIATION REGARDING UTILISATION OF INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUES. LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF REFUNDABLE CAUTION DEPOSIT, WHICH ARE GENERALLY NOT REFUNDED TO STUDENTS UPON GRADUATION. INADEQUATE DOCUMENTATION OF SOURCES OF INCOME. LODGING OF OFFICIAL FUNDS IN PERSONAL ACCOUNTS YIELDING INTEREST FOR ACCOUNT HOLDER.

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS OVER-INVOICING AND FALSIFICATION OF DOCUMENT SUCH AS RECEIPTS, AND ALTERATION OF FIGURES. FICTITIOUS EXPENDITURE AND PADDING OF EXPENSES, AS WELL AS DISREGARD FOR AUDIT QUERIES. CONVERTING OF OFFICIAL FUNDS AND UNIVERSITY RESOURCES TO PRIVATE USE. FRAUDULENT ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO INAPPROPRIATE HEADS DURING BUDGETING PROCESS . PAYMENT OF SALARIES TO GHOST WORKERS/INFLATION OF STAFF NOMINAL ROLL.

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO CONTRACT AWARDS REGULAR AND OCCASIONAL CONTRACT “CORNERING” BY COUNCIL MEMBERS; THESE COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THE QUALITY OF PROJECT EXECUTION CONTRACT SPLITTING IN ORDER TO BYPASS APPROVAL LIMIT OR FAVOUR SPECIFIC CONTRACTORS NON-ADHERENCE TO RULES AND POLICIES REGARDING CONTRACTS LEADING TO AWARD OF CONTRACTS TO CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT FIRMS AND SUPPLIERS.

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO CONTRACT AWARDS SELECTION OF PROJECTS ON THE BASIS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS AND OPPORTUNITY OF PERSONAL BENEFIT; END USERS OF PROJECT NOT CARRIED ALONG AND PROJECT ENDING UP ABANDONED BRIBERY AND OTHER FORMS OF GRATIFICATION TO SECURE CONTRACTS OR DELIVER SUBSTANDARD PROJECT/SUPPLIES INADEQUATE/DISHONEST PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTION AND DISCIPLINE OF STAFF GRATIFICATION, VICTIMISATION, FAVOURITISM, NEPOTISM, ARISING FROM ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS AND OTHER SENTIMENTS BY THE AUTHORITIES AND PARTIES CONCERNED. LACK OF DUE PROCESS AND CONSISTENCY IN THE PROCEDURES FOR APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTION E.G. SOME EMPLOYEES BEING INTERVIEWED WELL AFTER THEY HAVE RESUMED WORK ONLY TO FULFIL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS; IRREGULAR CONVERSION OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES TO FULL-TIME.

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTION AND DISCIPLINE OF STAFF LACK OF POLICY ON DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF TO CHECK STAFF OVERSTAYING IN ONE POSITION WHICH ENCOURAGES CORRUPTION. ABUSE OF PROMOTION AND TRANSFER CRITERIA BASED ON FAVOURITISM OR VENDETTA. FORGERY OF CERTIFICATES AND OTHER CREDENTIALS BY OFFICIALS TO SECURE APPOINTMENT INCLUDING PLAGIARISM AND FALSE CLAIM TO PUBLICATIONS- DUE TO LACK OF DUE DILIGENCE OR CONNIVANCE.

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO ADMISSIONS, ENROLMENT & REGISTRATION NON-ADHERENCE TO APPROVED CARRYING CAPACITY AS SET BY THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION (NUC) - WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF OVER-STRETCHING FACILITIES, LEADING TO CRISES NON-ADHERENCE TO RULES AND REGULATIONS GUIDING ADMISSION LEADING TO ADMISSION OF UNQUALIFIED AND LESS QUALIFIED CANDIDATES (LEADING TO POOR AND UNEMPLOYABLE GRADUATES). POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN THE ADMISSION PROCESSA MAJOR REASON FOR WHICH SOME MORE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES BUT WITHOUT “GOD-FATHERS “ ARE MARGINALISED. INADEQUATE FUNDING WHICH ENCOURAGES UNIVERSITIES TO ENGAGE IN OVER ENROLMENT OF STUDENTS IN ORDER TO GENERATE FUNDS TO RUN THE INSTITUTION- LOW QUALITY TURN

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO ADMISSIONS, ENROLMENT & REGISTRATION USE OF FORGED CREDENTIALS, INCLUDING ADMISSION LETTERS AND SSCE RESULTS WITH CONNIVANCE OF UNSCRUPULOUS UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS. LACK OF PROPER MONITORING AND THE ABSENCE OF PUNITIVE MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY BY NUC AND FME CHEATING IN THE UTME AND POST-UTME REGISTRATION WITHOUT PAYMENT OF APPROPRIATE FEES OFFERING OF UN-ACCREDITED COURSES AND REGISTRATION OF ILLEGAL STUDENTS FOR SAME

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION & AWARD OF DEGREES SALE OF EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND OTHER EXAMINATIONRELATED INFORMATION BY OFFICIALS GRATIFICATION AND INDUCEMENT OF OFFICIALS TO MANIPULATE AWARD OF MARKS/GRADES E.G. SWAPPING OF GRADES IN FAVOUR OF STUDENTS THAT DID “SORTING” STUDENTS WRITING EXAMINATION BY PROXY AND DIRECT CHEATING IN EXAMINATIONS DELAY OF STUDENTS FROM GRADUATING DUE TO POOR RECORD-KEEPING/MANAGEMENT, DELAY IN THE RELEASE OF EXAMINATION RESULTS AND DELIBERATE VICTIMISATION BY OFFICIALS MANIPULATION OF INTERNAL EXAMINATION PROCESSES LEADING TO GRADUATION OF UNQUALIFIED STUDENTS AND THEIR ENROLMENT FOR NATIONAL SERVICE.

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION & FACULTY GOVERNANCE UNDUE INTERFERENCE IN DEPARTMENTAL AFFAIRS AND IMPOSITION BY MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENT OF HODS (AND IN SOME CASES, DEANS) ON THE BASIS OF NEPOTISM AND ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS, WITHOUT FOLLOWING LAID-DOWN RULES AND POLICIES BY VCS INABILITY TO HOLD REGULAR DEPARTMENTAL AND FACULTY MEETINGS LEADING TO DICTATORIAL TENDENCIES BY THE DEAN AND HODS; QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY IS THUS AFFECTED DISTRIBUTION OF TEACHING LOAD AND OTHER FACULTY ASSIGNMENTS ON THE BASIS OF FRIENDSHIP AND PATRONAGE. IN OTHER INSTANCES, THERE ARE RESORT TO VENDETTA IN THE ALLOCATION OF COURSES AND OTHER WORKLOAD FALSIFICATION OF PERSONAL AND RECORDS AND/OR

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO RESEARCH & RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION PLAGIARISM AND FRAUDULENT CITATION BY RESEARCHERS, MAINLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTION DIVERSION OF RESEARCH FUNDS TO OTHER USES EITHER BY THE AUTHORITIES OF THE RESEARCHERS POOR FUND ALLOCATION TO RESEARCH HEAD AND DIVERSION OF EVEN THE POOR ALLOCATION TO OTHER HEADS GHOST-WRITING WORKS. OF STUDENTS’ RESEARCH PROJECT

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO TEACHING AND LEARNING SERVICES DELAY IN TAKE-OFF OF SEMESTER LECTURES AND NONCOMPLETION OF SYLLABUS BY LECTURERS OVER-CROWDING OF CLASSROOMS AND NON-ADHERENCE TO STUDENTS/LECTURER RATIO RESULTS LACK OF COMMITMENT TO WORK BY THE LECTURERS, LEADING TO ABSENTEEISM AND NON-PREPARATION FOR LECTURES CONTINUED DEFIANCE TO NUC’S BAN ON SATELLITE CAMPUSES AND PROGRAMMES WITH IMPUNITY BY INSTITUTIONS FREQUENT STRIKE ACTION BY STAFF AND STUDENTS INTERRUPTING THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR DEFIANCE OF BAN ON SALES OF LECTURE NOTES, HAND-OUTS AND “TEXTBOOKS” HURRIED PUT TOGETHER NON-PROVISION OF ADEQUATE AND APPROPRIATE PRACTICAL

CORRUPT PRACTICES IDENTIFIED IN RELATION TO TEACHING AND LEARNING SERVICES LATE OPENING AND EARLY CLOSING OF LIBRARY, ESPECIALLY NON-RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS STEALING AND MUTILATION OF LIBRARY BOOKS/MATERIALS BY STUDENTS, WITH IMPUNITY. INADEQUATE/IRRELEVANT (OUTDATED) TEXTBOOKS INADEQUATE READING TABLES AND CHAIRS IN CLASSROOMS AND LIBRARIES CORRUPTION IN THE ALLOCATION OF OFFICIAL BED SPACES TO STUDENTS IN HOSTELS BY THE MANAGERS GRATIFICATION AND BRIBERY TO INFLUENCE ALLOCATION OF HOSTELS ACCOMMODATION BY STUDENTS SALE OF ACCOMMODATION SPACES BY OFFICIALOCCUPANTS TO HIGHEST BIDDERS BY STUDENTS WITHOUT ANY REPERCUSSION

GENERAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS IDENTIFIED CORRUPT PRACTICES PERVADE THE WHOLE GAMUT OF THE ACADEMIA AFFECTING TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING STAFF AS WELL AS STUDENTS. THE CORRUPT PRACTICES CALL INTO QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF THE SYSTEM AND OF THE PRODUCTS. CORRUPT PRACTICES HINDER THE ATTAINMENT OF THE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF MOST OF THESE INSTITUTIONS AND OF THE NATION’S TERTIARY INSTITUTION SYSTEM IN GENERAL.

WHAT NEXT? 1. DEVELOPMENT RESPONSES: OF INSTITUTIONAL THE REPORT OF THE PILOT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM STUDY AND REVIEW (USSR) EXERCISE CONDUCTED IS BEING SHARED WITH THE AFFECTED UNIVERSITIES, WHO WOULD BE REQUIRED TO COME UP WITH A 5-YEAR INTEGRITY PLAN TO TACKLE THE IDENTIFIED CORRUPTION RELATED CHALLENGES WITHIN THEIR SYSTEM AND UPON WHICH ICPC/NUC AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WILL CONSTANTLY MONITOR AND EVALUATE THEM. UNIVERSITIES ARE BEING BENCHMARKED/EVALUATED BASED ON THEIR OWN SET

WHAT NEXT? 2. CAPACITY BUILDING TO TACKLE CORRUPTION: WORKING WITH THE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR, VIZ., THE NUC, THE NBTE AND THE NCCE, THE ICPC WOULD BE ENGAGING IN CAPACITYBUILDING FOR THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OTHER MANAGERS OF OUR HIGHER INSTITUTIONS AS WE SEEK A CONCERTED EFFORT TO STAMP OUT THIS MENACE THAT IS HINDERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY’S HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR.

WHAT NEXT? ON CAPACITY BUILDING TO TACKLE CORRUPTION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICAL VALUES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HELD FROM 20 – 21 MAY 2014, WAS THE FIRST STEP IN THAT DIRECTION. THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE RECOMMENDED THE CONDUCT OF MANAGEMENT LEVEL TRAINING FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE AREAS OF INFRACTION IDENTIFIED IN THE USSR REPORT. THE CURRENT WORKSHOPS CONSTITUTE THE ICPC RESPONSE TO THE DECISION.

WHAT NEXT? 3. CASCADING THE OUTCOME TO LOWER LEVELS IN THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SYSTEM: THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE CURRENT WORKSHOP ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE STEPS TO CASCADE THE SKILLS ACQUIRED TO LOWER LEVELS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS. THIS COULD BE DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ICPC/ACAN.

CONCLUSION THE STRUGGLE TO ERADICATE CORRUPTION IN OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS REQUIRES CONCERTED EFFORTS FROM ALL STAKEHOLDERS. WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE FIRST STEP. YOU SHOULD BE PART OF THE EFFORT TOO!