The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched a partnership with the Master Agent Show to engage more than 50,000 Junior Secondary School students across Nigeria in the fight against corruption. The initiative, unveiled on Thursday in Abuja, marks the inauguration of the Basic Education Anti-Corruption Debate (BEAD), a programme designed to transform young Nigerians into anti-corruption champions.
Speaking at the event, ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu explained that the collaboration would target 5,000 schools nationwide, using debates as a platform to deepen civic awareness and strengthen the moral foundation of the next generation. He stressed that instilling anti-corruption values at the basic education level was critical to securing Nigeria’s future.
“This partnership is not just about debates; it is about mobilizing an army of young Nigerians to say no to corruption and lead with integrity. Our goal is to nurture a generation that will not only reject corruption but also dismantle the systems that enable it,” Aliyu said.
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The Managing Director of Master Agent Show, Osigbeme Enike, described BEAD as more than a competition, calling it a movement that combines civic engagement, critical thinking, and public speaking to break down the deep-rooted barriers of corruption. He explained that the programme would run in four phases, beginning with school-level contests, followed by broader engagements, regional selections, and eventually, a nationwide broadcast and awards ceremony.
Running from September 2025 through July 2026, the debate series is expected to extend its reach far beyond classrooms. Organisers estimate that each episode will reach 10 million radio listeners and more than one million digital viewers, creating one of the largest youth-driven anti-corruption platforms in the country.
For Nigeria, where corruption has long undermined governance and development, the move signals a new approach that shifts the battle to schools and empowers young people to lead the charge. By targeting teenagers at a formative stage, the ICPC and its partners believe they can sow the seeds of accountability and build a future where integrity becomes a national culture.
As BEAD unfolds, the spotlight will be on how effectively this partnership can reshape mindsets and galvanize a movement capable of breaking Nigeria’s long-standing cycle of corruption.
