The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has partnered with Master Agent Show, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), to mobilise more than 50,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) students nationwide in the fight against corruption.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this at the inauguration of the Basic Education Anti-corruption Debate (BEAD), an initiative of the NGO, on Thursday in Abuja.
BEAD is a thematic, education-driven initiative designed to instill integrity, transparency, and accountability in young Nigerians through school debates.
Aliyu, represented by Mr. Okor Odey, Divisional Head of Education and Deputy Director in the Public Enlightenment and Education Department of ICPC, said the collaboration would strengthen the anti-corruption campaign at the basic education level across the country.
According to him, the programme will reach more than 5,000 schools and engage 50,000 students in debates aimed at building anti-corruption champions.
“Master Agent Show presented an idea to the ICPC that was not entirely new but unique. The BEAD project aligns with the Commission’s mission of addressing social challenges through education, awareness, and reorientation. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to be implemented across all 36 states simultaneously without physical presence until the final stage, leveraging the cooperation of schools,” he said.
Aliyu noted that the project would go beyond awards and recognition, reshaping perceptions of integrity among young Nigerians through documentaries, media partnerships, and debates.
Mr. Osigbeme Enike, Managing Director of Master Agent Show, said BEAD was conceived to enhance civic engagement, critical thinking, and public speaking skills among students while tackling corruption.
“BEAD is more than just a debate series. It is a transformative movement that harnesses the power of education to dismantle deep-rooted barriers of corruption,” he said.
He explained that over 5,000 junior secondary schools across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT would participate, with debates on topics such as ‘Citizens’ Character or Government Cabinet: Who Ends Corruption?’. Submissions will be broadcast daily on FRCN FM stations, BE.TV’s YouTube and Facebook channels, and other partner platforms.
The programme, which will run from September 2025 to July 2026, will be executed in four phases: school engagement, regional selection, nationwide broadcast, and awards. It is also expected to reach about 10 million radio listeners and over one million digital viewers per episode.
Also speaking, Mr. Domini Ogakwu, Chief Marketing Executive of BEAD, said the initiative would leverage digital tools to drive anti-corruption advocacy.
“From the comfort of your home, you can join this moral crusade to liberate young minds from corruption. We call on organisations and business owners to support the initiative through sponsorship and media advocacy. It is an investment in youth development and in restoring values in our schools,” he said.
