About SICP
Integrity is the foundation
of every great school

SICP was founded on the belief that the transformation of education begins with integrity in governance, in teaching, and in character.

Step Up Nigeria
Brief History of the Organisation

Step Up Nigeria is a non-governmental organisation that is working towards building bridges between the government and citizens to tackle corruption and improve the delivery of services in Nigeria.

Since 2018, we have sensitised over 60,000+ children in FCT, Lagos, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Imo, and Oyo states on anti-corruption values and teaching, and donated over 70,000+ books to students and school libraries in those states. We have also trained over 1,300 teachers across 15 states in the country.

Our School Integrity Certification Programme (SICP) has certified over 60 schools across FCT, Nasarawa, and Lagos, which are actively promoting the culture of integrity and inculcating ethical conduct in their students and teachers.

Other Step Up Nigeria's Initiatives are also focused on building Social Accountability among the citizens and raising anti-corruption champions whose goals are to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness.

🎯 Our Mission

To foster a transparent and equitable society by actively engaging and empowering citizens to fight corruption and demand quality services and public goods.

👁 Our Vision

Our vision is that Nigeria's socio-economic development is not held back by corruption and poor governance.

💡 Why Should My School Be Certified?

Certification builds community trust, attracts quality staff and students, and positions your institution as a leader in integrity-driven education. Certified schools gain resources, a growing network, and recognition through the Integrity Certification Program.

The People
Our Team

Dedicated professionals committed to transforming education through integrity.

OO
Onyinye Ough
Founder and Programme Expert
FI
Feranmi Iyanda
Director of Programmes
EA
Elizabeth Awonusi
Programme Coordinator
Collaboration
Our Partners
🏛
AFED
🌍
MacArthur Foundation
📋
NAPPS
🎓
SUBEB
Common Questions
FAQs
What is the School Integrity Certification Program? +
SICP is a voluntary, standards-based certification programme for schools. Schools that complete all 10 integrity steps earn a recognised certificate demonstrating their commitment to institutional integrity.
Who is eligible to apply for certification? +
Any registered school in operation for at least two years with a functioning school management structure may apply. Full eligibility criteria are outlined in the Certification Process section.
How long does the certification process take? +
The full process typically takes 3 to 6 months, depending on the school's readiness. Schools work through 10 structured steps, each addressing a different aspect of institutional integrity.
Is certification free? +
SICP operates as a largely subsidised programme. There may be a nominal administrative fee, kept minimal to ensure access for all schools regardless of financial capacity.
How is the certificate renewed? +
Certification is valid for two years. Schools must complete a renewal assessment to demonstrate continued adherence to integrity standards.
What happens after a school is certified? +
Certified schools receive an official SICP certificate, are listed on the registry of Integrity Certified Schools, receive the SICP seal for use on school materials, and gain access to ongoing resources and the SICP school network.
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