A professor of accounting, Francis Iyoha, has asked the federal government to introduce spirituality as a subject into the tertiary curriculum to tackle corruption.

Mr Iyoha, a senior lecturer, Accounting Department, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, gave the advice during the 27th inaugural lecture of the institution on Saturday.

He said the introduction of spirituality into the institution’s curriculum would help to tackle error, sharp practices and reduce unethical practices in the country.

“The teaching of ethics in our higher education institutions cannot be over emphasised as it will impact positively, and significantly affect the ethical behaviour of leaders, accountants and managers trained for the future challenges,” Mr Iyoha said.

According to him, “The private and public companies need to emphasise spirituality in their job schedules and offering when hiring accountants and auditors.

“In addition, the Accounting Standard Setters and Professional Accounting Organisation should also emphasise spirituality in its conceptual framework and develop standards that encourage spirituality,” he added.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the Covenant University, Abiodun Adebayo, said several businesses and organisations had shut down due to unethical accounting standards, such as manipulation of figures, lack of courage to blow the whistle, sin of omission, among others.

The vice-chancellor said that the institution had set up a Spirituality Centre that would train a new generation of leaders on impactive leadership.

(NAN)