Press Council Seeks EFCC Partnership To Tackle Corruption

The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has sought the collaboration of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to strengthen the fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

The request was made on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, when the Executive Secretary of the NPC, Dr Dili Ezughah, led the Council’s top management team on a courtesy visit to the EFCC’s corporate headquarters.

Ezughah commended the anti-graft agency for its engagement with the media, describing the EFCC as a strategic national institution whose commitment to transparency, accountability, integrity and good governance had contributed to the fight against corruption.

He also praised the Commission for its professional relationship with journalists, stressing the importance of a free, responsible and ethical press in promoting accountability in the country.

“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,” Ezughah said.

He said the NPC was interested in building a “mutually beneficial and enduring relationship” with the EFCC to strengthen both institutions’ roles in promoting accountability and responsible journalism.

The NPC boss proposed several areas of collaboration, including joint capacity-building programmes for journalists, public enlightenment campaigns on economic and financial crimes, structured information-sharing mechanisms, as well as joint research and advocacy on media ethics and accountability.

According to him, such collaboration would help deepen public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign while promoting responsible journalism.

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Ezughah, however, highlighted some challenges affecting the effectiveness of the Press Council, including the absence of a permanent headquarters and operational vehicles.

He said the challenges had negatively affected the Council’s operational efficiency, stakeholder engagement and training programmes.

Responding, the Secretary to the EFCC, Muhammad Hammajoda, who represented the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, welcomed the delegation and assured the NPC that its concerns and proposals would be communicated to the EFCC 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,” Hammajoda said.

He acknowledged the critical role of the NPC in ensuring compliance with professional standards and ethical practices within Nigeria’s media industry.

Hammajoda said the EFCC holds the press in high esteem, describing the Nigerian media as an indispensable partner in the Commission’s anti-corruption efforts.

“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.

Hammajoda urged the NPC to intensify its efforts in enforcing professional standards, particularly amid the rapid and largely unregulated expansion of new media platforms.

“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 said.

He assured the Council that the EFCC was willing to work with it to advance the anti-corruption campaign. “We value collaboration, being one of our core values. And will collaborate with you,” Hammajoda added.