The Federal Government has emphasised that public enlightenment is central to the success of the Code of Conduct Bureau’s mandate in promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical standards in Nigeria’s public service.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, fnipr, stated this during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, FCCA, CFC, and his delegation to the Ministry in Abuja, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration in the fight against corruption.
The Minister emphasised the critical role of public enlightenment in preventing corruption and unethical conduct in the public service, noting that awareness remains a key pillar of effective governance. “Many public servants in this country do not know so much about the Code of Conduct Bureau beyond asset declaration; this must change through sustained public enlightenment,” he stated.
He underscored the preventive mandate of the Bureau, stressing that its role goes beyond enforcement to stopping infractions before they occur. “The Code of Conduct Bureau is not about arresting people after offences are committed; its primary duty is to prevent those infractions from happening in the first place,” he said.
The Minister further called for sustained institutional collaboration, noting that continuous engagement is essential to achieving lasting impact. “This engagement should not be a one-off event; it must be sustained to deepen awareness, strengthen institutions, and promote ethical conduct in public service,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of synergy between enforcement and communication, the Minister stated that awareness and enforcement must work together to achieve meaningful compliance.
“Enforcement and awareness must go hand in hand; without awareness, enforcement alone will not stop unethical conduct,” he noted.
He assured the Bureau of the Ministry’s full support, stating that all its agencies will be deployed to amplify the activities of the CCB and promote accountability across government institutions.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello FCCA, CFC, highlighted the importance of strategic collaboration with the Ministry, particularly in driving public sensitisation and strengthening ethical standards in governance.
“CCB is not only an enforcement agency; we are primarily a preventive organisation committed to ensuring that public servants do not engage in corrupt practices in the first place,” he said.
The Chairman noted that the Bureau is seeking partnership with the Ministry in areas such as nationwide sensitisation campaigns, media engagement, capacity building for public officers, and dissemination of its activities to enhance public awareness.
Dr Bello added that by leveraging the Ministry’s communication platforms, the Bureau would significantly improve compliance with asset declaration requirements and promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency in public service.
Those in attendance were; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam; Executive Secretary of Nigeria Press Council, Dr. Dili Ezughah; Special Assistant Administration, Dr. Sunday Baba; Deputy Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Miss Sade Fatoke; Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello FCCA CFC; Board Member, Hon. Abdulsalam Olawale; Director, Mr. Jimoh Alabi; Board Member, Prof. Jwariya Badamasiuy; and many other dignitaries.
