Experts Call for Stronger Media Role as ICPC Reviews Nigeria’s Anti‑Corruption Strategy
Concerns over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s anti‑corruption framework dominated discussions on Thursday as experts urged the media to take a more proactive and accountable role in promoting transparency and public engagement.
The call was made at a high‑level forum organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja, where communication scholar Professor Umaru A. Pate said Nigeria’s anti‑corruption policies remain strong on paper but weak in implementation.
The event, convened under the leadership of ICPC Chairman Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, focused on assessing the National Anti‑Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2022–2026 and redefining the media’s role as the strategy enters its final phase.
Pate, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere, described corruption as “an economic crime, a moral crisis, a governance challenge, and a development impediment,” warning that it continues to weaken institutions and erode public trust.
Citing Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, he noted that Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 and ranked 142nd globally, reflecting persistent governance challenges despite ongoing reforms. He, however, acknowledged progress, including the ICPC’s recovery of over ₦37.44 billion and $2.35 million in 2025, as well as survey findings showing that 70 per cent of Nigerians refused to pay bribes when confronted with such demands in 2023.
“These developments suggest that Nigeria is not a society that accepts corruption as destiny,” he said.
Pate explained that the National Anti‑Corruption Strategy was designed as a comprehensive framework built on prevention, public engagement, ethical reorientation, enforcement, and asset recovery. But a mid‑term assessment revealed critical gaps, including weak inter‑agency coordination, limited public awareness, insufficient media engagement, political interference, and slow judicial processes.
He stressed that tackling corruption requires more than prosecutions, arguing that systemic reforms, transparency, and cultural change are essential for sustainable progress.
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A major focus of the forum was the role of the media—often described as the Fourth Estate—in strengthening accountability. Pate urged journalists to move beyond routine reporting and embrace investigative, data‑driven journalism capable of exposing corruption and informing citizens.
“The media must investigate fearlessly, report responsibly, educate citizens, and hold power accountable,” he said, adding that effective watchdog and agenda‑setting functions make corruption significantly harder to conceal.
He referenced global investigations such as the Panama Papers and Pandora Papers as examples of how collaborative journalism can expose complex financial crimes. In Nigeria, he noted, the media has historically uncovered procurement fraud, financial mismanagement, and abuse of office.
Despite these contributions, Pate said journalists continue to face legal intimidation, restricted access to information, threats to personal safety, economic pressures, and internal editorial constraints—all of which weaken investigative reporting. Industry stakeholders at the event echoed these concerns, warning that without adequate legal protection and institutional support, journalists may struggle to sustain in‑depth anti‑corruption work.
The forum also examined the evolving media landscape, noting that digital platforms have transformed journalism through real‑time reporting and citizen participation. However, participants cautioned that these same platforms have accelerated the spread of misinformation, propaganda, and online harassment, undermining public trust in the media.
As the National Anti‑Corruption Strategy enters its final phase, Pate called for stronger collaboration between the media, anti‑corruption agencies such as the ICPC, and professional bodies like the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He urged greater adoption of data‑driven reporting, improved ethical standards, and expanded civic education to raise public awareness about corruption.
He also emphasised the need to prioritise journalists’ safety, warning that investigative reporting cannot thrive in an environment of fear.
Beyond institutional reforms, participants highlighted the importance of deeper public engagement, particularly in tracking government spending, monitoring procurement processes, and scrutinising asset declarations and election financing.
Observers noted that bridging the gap between public perception and actual anti‑corruption efforts remains critical, as Nigeria continues to battle a reputation for widespread corruption despite emerging evidence of behavioural change among citizens.
Pate concluded with a reminder of the media’s enduring responsibility in democratic societies: “Corruption survives in darkness, but journalism brings light.”
By PRNigeria
