In a decisive move to strengthen transparency and accountability across Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) joined forces with State Commissioners of Information from all 36 states to emphasize that the fight against corruption requires active citizen engagement alongside institutional enforcement. The partnership was solidified during a one-day roundtable held yesterday in Abuja, focusing on strategic communication as a tool to enhance governance at state and local government levels.
The engagement, themed “Partnership for Strengthening Transparency and Accountability at the State and Local Government Levels through Strategic Communication,” highlighted the central role of Commissioners of Information in shaping public discourse, mobilizing citizens, and fostering a culture of integrity. ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, underscored that while government institutions are critical, citizens’ awareness, trust, and participation are indispensable to rooting out corruption.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, commended the initiative, stressing that consistent and deliberate communication is essential in building public confidence in anti-corruption efforts. Other dignitaries present included Distinguished Senator Emmanuel Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes; Hon. Prince Kayode Moshood Akiola, Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption; Prof. Usman Tar, Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Borno State; and representatives of the National Orientation Agency and Voice of Nigeria, among others.
The roundtable culminated in a communique jointly signed by Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu and Prof. Usman Tar, which recognized corruption as a persistent challenge, particularly at state and local levels where the consequences are felt most directly by communities. The document stressed that strategic communication, when combined with access to information and institutional enforcement, is vital for building public trust and collective action.
Participants committed to a series of collaborative measures, including sustaining ICPC-State synergy in delivering anti-corruption messages through state-owned media, mobilizing citizens to demand accountability, building the capacity of officials in transparency and communication tools, and partnering with media and civil society to amplify awareness campaigns. They also pledged to translate IEC materials into local languages and establish digital communication platforms to maintain continuous engagement.
The roundtable reinforced that combating corruption is not solely the responsibility of government bodies but a shared societal task requiring active citizen participation and trust. By leveraging strategic communication, the ICPC and State Commissioners of Information aim to embed integrity, transparency, and accountability into governance structures nationwide.
Stone Reporters Media Team
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