ICPC Engages State Information Commissioners to Tackle Corruption at Grassroots

ICPC Engages State Information Commissioners to Tackle Corruption at Grassroots

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has stepped up collaboration with state commissioners of information to strengthen the fight against corruption, particularly at the grassroots where its effects are most devastating.

At a one-day roundtable in Abuja themed “Partnership for Strengthening Transparency and Accountability at State and Local Government Levels Through Strategic Communication,” the commission stressed that leakages at the lower tiers of government directly deprive citizens of basic services such as roads, schools, and healthcare.

ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, who declared the forum open, said the engagement was designed to enlist the support of information managers in states in promoting transparency and accountability. According to him, corruption is not just a legal problem but also a societal one, requiring communication and citizen oversight.

“This gathering is not just about sharing ideas but about advancing a cause vital to our democracy and the welfare of our people. The fight against corruption is not a sprint but a marathon. It requires persistence, collaboration, and communication that inspires trust,” Aliyu said.

He emphasized that effective communication can help operationalize aspects of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2022–2026, particularly in embedding ethical values in governance and mobilizing citizens to demand accountability.

In his keynote address, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, assured the commissioners that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will continue to give anti-graft agencies full independence to operate.

He said the government’s policy of non-interference guarantees that institutions such as the ICPC and EFCC are not weaponized for political vendettas.

“By its policy of non-interference, the Tinubu administration has made it clear that anti-corruption agencies are not instruments of political witch-hunts. They operate with independence and professionalism in line with the rule of law,” Malagi said.

He noted that the remarks were necessary amid concerns expressed by some citizens and civil society groups alleging selective prosecution, adding that the administration remains committed to transparency as a pillar of democracy.

In a lighter moment, Malagi linked integrity with wellbeing, citing the ICPC Chairman as an example.

“The chairman of the ICPC is a young man, but people often wonder what his secret is for always looking fresh. I think I know that secret. He has freed his mind and self from corruption. So, if you want to look young, just take out corruption from your mind and you will look younger and younger,” he said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, warned that perception of corruption can be more damaging to Nigeria than the actual cases of graft.

“Which is even more dangerous? Is it the corruption itself or the perception of corruption? The perception of corruption is more dangerous. When the name Nigeria is mentioned, when that green passport is shown, what really comes up in the minds of the people? A rich country with corrupt people,” Dare said.

He urged commissioners of information to deploy strategic communication tools, ranging from radio and television programmes to infographics and even dramas, to reshape narratives and build trust in governance.

“As strategic communicators, if there’s a policy or a budget around it, are you breaking the information into capsules people can understand? That is how to make governance more transparent and impactful,” Dare said.

The forum brought together commissioners of information from across the federation, media leaders, and civil society groups, reaffirming the importance of partnerships in sustaining the anti-corruption drive at the grassroots.