Prof. Hassan Ibrahim, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, has raised serious concerns about the unethical conduct of some members of the National Assembly during their oversight visits to universities. Speaking at the 3rd Annual Lecture of the Bursary Department at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, themed “The Role of Accountants in Enhancing Ethical Financial Practices in the University System,” Ibrahim accused politicians of exploiting their oversight functions for personal gain by demanding bribes.
He highlighted that this political interference has significantly undermined the management and operations of universities. According to Ibrahim, institutions such as FUT Minna are often compelled to allocate substantial sums, reportedly at least N10 million, to satisfy these demands during oversight visits. Furthermore, he revealed instances where politicians do not even attend these visits, instead instructing university representatives to meet them in Abuja with necessary documents, further exacerbating systemic corruption.
Ibrahim also criticized university accountants, noting that their lack of transparency and adherence to the fundamental ethics of the accounting profession contributes to this unethical environment. He emphasized that if accountants adhered strictly to ethical standards, there would be fewer opportunities for politicians to exploit the system.
To combat these challenges, Ibrahim called for a recommitment to ethical financial practices within university systems. He urged accountants to uphold the five fundamental ethics of their profession, which include integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality, and professional behavior. Additionally, he recommended that universities adopt innovative financial strategies such as diversifying revenue streams, improving financial reporting, and strengthening internal audit functions to better manage financial resources and curb corruption.
This call to action aims to foster a more transparent and accountable financial environment in higher education institutions, ensuring that resources are used effectively to support educational missions rather than being diverted through unethical practices.