Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has called on media practitioners in all levels across Nigeria to strengthen their role in exposing fraud, corruption, and abuse of office in the country.
The call was made by Olukoyede in Warri, Delta State, while addressing participants at the 12th Annual Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).
The conference, which had as its theme “Corruption, Governance and Media in Nigeria,” brought together media professionals, academics, and communication experts to deliberate on the intersections of governance, corruption, and journalism.
Represented by Williams Oseghale, Assistant Commander of the EFCC and Head of Public Affairs, Benin Zonal Directorate, the EFCC Chairman said the media must rediscover its patriotic role in nation-building by holding power to account and exposing corrupt practices.
He recalled the historic contributions of the Nigerian media during the struggle for independence and the fight against military dictatorship, noting that figures such as Nnamdi Azikiwe and Anthony Enahoro used journalism as a tool for justice, social change, and the pursuit of democracy.
“The media of that era remains a reference point in patriotism and nationalism.
They fought colonialism and later challenged military misrule, which eventually paved the way for democracy in our country,” he said.
Olukoyede urged journalists to emulate that tradition by embracing investigative reporting to uncover fraudulent schemes and acts of economic sabotage that drain national resources.
“I urge media practitioners to use their various platforms to fight against corruption and the twin evils of economic and financial crimes in our country. Investigative journalism is key in exposing fraudsters who prey on innocent citizens and public officials who siphon public funds,” he stressed.
The EFCC Chairman emphasised that the media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, fulfils its constitutional mandate when it holds government accountable and enlightens the public on the dangers of corruption.
He added that defeating corruption requires collective effort, with citizens and institutions alike committed to accountability, transparency, and due process.
He further appealed for stronger collaboration between the EFCC and the media, particularly in public enlightenment campaigns, saying accurate information is vital in building public trust and mobilising Nigerians against financial crimes.
On his part, Rotimi Olatunji, ACSPN President, said the conference theme was timely, given how corruption undermines governance, economic development, social justice, and public confidence in institutions.
He acknowledged the media’s vital role in building a stable society but cautioned that its effectiveness is often limited by challenges ranging from ownership influence to inadequate resources.
Olatunji added that the 2025 ACSPN Conference provided a critical platform for knowledge exchange, offering scholars and practitioners the opportunity to interrogate pressing issues in communication practice while also strengthening the link between scholarship and professional media work in Nigeria and beyond.
