The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has pledged to promote advocacy, combat corruption and facilitate the reintegration of millions of vulnerable children into the education system.

The anti-graft agency gave the assurance while committing to a formal partnership during a courtesy visit led by the executive secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

In his address during the visit, the executive secretary of NCAOOSCE, Mohammed Sani Idris, decried the plight of aalmajiri and other vulnerable children in the country, citing UNICEF statistics that estimate Nigeria has over 18.3 million out-of-school children.

Appealing to the ICPC, Mr Idris called on the anti-graft agency to help advocate for improved budgetary allocation to address the spate of out-of-school children in the country, particularly from all relevant authorities responsible for funding government ministries, departments and agencies.

Lamenting the welfare of vulnerable children in the country, Mr Idris stated that evading parental responsibility and the trend of street begging expose many minors to sexual abuse, medical neglect and other societal dangers.

He stated that partnering with the ICPC became necessary to address corruption-related factors contributing to the current education gaps, despite advocacy and resource allocation.

Mr Idris listed inadequate funding, a lack of office infrastructure and an insufficient fleet of operational vehicles as constraints to its ability to effectively manage about 200 learning centres and reach over 700,000 identified out-of-school children.

ICPC chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu emphasised the need for responsible parental guidance and quality education as foundational requirements for preserving the country’s future leadership.

The agency’s chairman noted that providing children with quality education was an essential responsibility despite its difficulty.

The ICPC boss proposed prompt finalisation of a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies to serve as a framework for collaboration, prevent financial leakages, and foster transparency within NCAOOSCE’s educational interventions.