In a groundbreaking effort to combat corruption through education, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in partnership with Master Agent Show, has launched the Basic Education Anti-Corruption Debate (BEAD), a nationwide initiative that will engage more than 50,000 junior secondary school students across Nigeria.
The program, unveiled in Abuja on Thursday, is designed to instill values of integrity, accountability, and transparency in young Nigerians by engaging them in structured debates on pressing civic and ethical issues. According to Osigbeme Enike, Managing Director of Master Agent Show, BEAD represents more than a competition.
“BEAD is not just a debate series, but a movement,” Enike said. “By equipping students with the tools of critical thinking, civic responsibility, and public speaking, we aim to raise a generation that will resist corruption and drive sustainable progress in Nigeria.”
Over 5,000 schools across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to participate, debating on themes such as “Citizens’ Character” and “Who Ends Corruption?” The debates will be broadcast on Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) FM stations, BE TV’s digital platforms, and other media outlets, potentially reaching an audience of more than 10 million listeners and over one million online viewers per episode.
The ICPC, under the leadership of Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has pledged technical support and oversight to ensure the program aligns with Nigeria’s broader anti-corruption strategies. Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Mr. Okoh Odey, Deputy Director of Education at ICPC, emphasized the commission’s commitment to sustainability.
He explained that beyond classroom debates, structures such as Vanguard Clubs and Community Development Service (CDS) groups will reinforce the lessons, while teachers and non-teaching staff will play an active role in guiding students. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will also ensure the program remains relevant and impactful.
The initiative is further anchored by a Memorandum of Understanding between ICPC and Master Agent Show, which also supports complementary campaigns like the “5 Principles Against Corruption” Poster Campaign and the “Pillars of Anti-Corruption” Sponsorship Initiative.
Ogakwu Dominic, Director of Marketing and Advertising, highlighted the role of investment and support in sustaining the project. “The time is now to catch our young ones early and expose them to activities that instill lifelong principles of integrity and accountability. We cannot leave them at the mercy of content with little or no value,” he stressed.
For more information please kindly, visit the website link… http://bead.com.ng