By Vivian Emoni
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says stronger institutions and effective communication are vital for sustaining anti-corruption reforms and economic stability.
Idris spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the Economic Confidential Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Awards 2026.
The event was with the theme, ‘Anti-Corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication.’
He said transparent governance, institutional accountability and effective communication were essential for building public trust and sustaining economic reforms.
According to him, corruption weakens institutions, distorts public expenditure and erodes public confidence, making sustainable economic stability difficult to achieve.
Idris said the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, was implementing reforms to strengthen the economy, improve accountability and restore investors’ confidence.
He stressed that the anti-corruption fight must extend beyond arrests and prosecutions to building systems capable of preventing abuse.
He said digitalising government processes and improving public financial management and procurement systems would reduce bottlenecks and enhance accountability.
“Digitalising government processes, improving public financial management and procurement systems will reduce discretionary bottlenecks and strengthen institutional accountability,” he said.
The minister said reforms would only succeed when citizens understood and trusted the process.
He said Nigerians deserved clear explanations of government policies and decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods.
“Effective communication is not propaganda. It means providing timely, accurate information, acknowledging challenges and explaining policy choices with facts and evidence,” he said.
Idris urged government communicators to listen to citizens, stressing that communication must remain a two-way process.
He described the media as an indispensable partner in promoting accountability through investigative journalism and responsible economic reporting.
The minister also urged media practitioners to resist misinformation and sensationalism capable of undermining public confidence.
Earlier, Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman, Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) described corruption as one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Aliyu said corruption was not merely an accounting issue but a reality with direct consequences for citizens and national development.
“Combating corruption is not merely a legal responsibility but an economic imperative and developmental necessity,” he said.
He added that the challenge required sustained reforms, preventive measures, ethical re-orientation and effective enforcement.
“The challenge requires sustained reforms, prevention, ethical re-orientation and effective enforcement to restore public trust and support Nigeria’s transformation,” he said.
Aliyu said integrity reforms produced measurable development outcomes and strengthened investor confidence.
According to him, stronger institutions attract investment, transparent systems improve service delivery and effective communication enhances public confidence.
“ICPC remains committed to working with stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability and integrity.
“The task is not only to fight corruption, but also to communicate the truth honestly enough to earn public trust.
“This will make integrity a defining part of Nigeria’s national character,” he said.
In his remarks, Managing Director of Image Merchants Promotion Ltd. (IMPR), Mr Yushau Shuaib, highlighted the significance of the lecture.
Shuaib said the forum examined how anti-corruption reforms, economic stability and strategic communication could reinforce public trust and institutional credibility.
He said the awards celebrated professionalism, excellence and integrity in public communication.
He said the awards also recognised spokespersons’ strategic contributions to governance, crisis management and national development.
Shuaib further disclosed that the event would unveil a research project titled, “Artificial Intelligence in Crisis Communication in Nigeria.”
He said the study was endorsed by the Centre for Crisis Communication.
“The research has been shortlisted for the 2026 Golden World Awards in Athens under Publication and AI in Crisis Management,” he said.
He added that the recognition affirmed the study’s relevance to emerging communication technologies and crisis management practice. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
VOE/KTO
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo