Tunde Bakare
The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has sought collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes.
The request was made on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 when NPC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Dili Ezughah led the top management team of the Council on a courtesy visit to EFCC’s corporate headquarters.
Ezughah who praised the Commission for its productive engagement with the media commended the Commission for its “unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, integrity and good governance,” noting that such commitment had significantly advanced the country’s fight against corruption.
He described the EFCC as a “strategic national institution” and expressed appreciation for the Commission’s professional engagement with journalists. While highlighting the importance of a free, responsible and ethical press in promoting public accountability he expressed the Council’s intention to build a “mutually beneficial and enduring relationship” with the EFCC.
“The Nigerian Press Council regards the EFCC as a strategic national institution whose unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, integrity and good governance has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s fight against corruption. We also commend the Commission’s commitment to engaging the media professionally and its recognition of the important role of a free, responsible and ethical press in promoting public accountability. We look forward to building a mutually beneficial and enduring relationship with the Commission,” he stated.
He proposed areas of collaboration between the EFCC and NPC, which include, joint capacity-building for journalists, collaborative public enlightenment campaigns on economic crimes, structured information-sharing channels, and joint research and advocacy to promote media ethics and accountability, adding that collaboration in these areas would deepen public confidence in the anti-corruption fight and enhance responsible journalism.
The NPC boss identified some of the challenges undermining his Council’s effectiveness to include the absence of a permanent headquarters and operational vehicles. These, he said, have adversely affected operational efficiency, stakeholder engagement and training activities in the Council.
Secretary to the EFCC, Muhammad Hammajoda, who stood in for the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, expressed delight with the visit and assured the NPC delegation that its positions would be duly communicated to the Chairman. “I want to assure you that we are delighted with this visit. I have noted all you said and I wish to assure you that your positions will be duly communicated to the Executive Chairman.”
He took note of the important role of the NPC in ensuring professional compliance and ethical media practice in the country. “I wish to appreciate you all for the sacred role you play in upholding press standards and fostering a harmonious relationship between the media and members of the public, as well as in monitoring the activities of the press with the view of ensuring media houses’ compliance with the code of professional and ethical conduct.
“I wish to state here that we hold the press in high esteem as one of our critical stakeholders. Indeed, the Nigerian press has been an indispensable partner in our successes as a Commission and I wish to assure you that we relish the cordial relationship and have been doing our utmost to sustain it,” he said.
While urging the NPC to further roll up its sleeves in the discharge of its duties, he noted that the task before the Council has become more onerous with the unregulated proliferation of the new media.
“I wish to emphasize that yours is an onerous task, especially with the unregulated proliferation of the new media. The increasing expansion of the media space can only mean more work, focus and dedication from you.”
He assured the delegation of the readiness of the Commission to collaborate with it in the interest of the anti-graft fight. “We value collaboration, being one of our core values. And will collaborate with you,” he said.