The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling corruption and curbing illicit financial flows, as the Tinubu administration intensifies efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability across the nation’s financial system.
This position was reiterated on Tuesday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) media outreach programme held in Abuja.
Represented by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Press Council, Dili Ezughah, the minister noted that the Tinubu administration has gone beyond mere rhetoric, implementing concrete reforms aimed at strengthening financial intelligence systems and tightening oversight of suspicious transactions.
According to Idris, these measures are already improving Nigeria’s compliance with global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards, while enhancing the country’s capacity to detect, investigate, and prevent financial crimes.
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He emphasized that coordinated institutional efforts are beginning to yield tangible results, particularly through the strengthening of critical agencies such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), which has boosted inter-agency collaboration and enforcement efficiency.
The minister also highlighted key reforms within the financial sector, supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as instrumental in improving transparency and restoring investor confidence.
At the regional level, he said Nigeria is expanding cooperation with international partners, including the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, to combat cross-border financial crimes and strengthen collective security frameworks.
Idris further noted that the government’s push toward digitalisation is closing long-standing loopholes that previously enabled corrupt practices to thrive, marking a significant shift toward a more transparent governance structure.
Despite the progress, he acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly within the media landscape.
These include the complexity of financial crime reporting, the spread of misinformation, limited resources, and safety concerns for journalists.
He, however, underscored the indispensable role of the media in sustaining the anti-corruption campaign, describing the press as a powerful force capable of shaping public perception and driving accountability through accurate and investigative reporting.
Idris called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and media organisations, alongside increased investment in capacity building to enhance specialised reporting in financial crimes.
“The fight against corruption is a shared responsibility. The government and the media cannot do it alone.
“But together, we can build a Nigeria where transparency is the norm, accountability is demanded, and corruption has no place to hide,” he said.
He also assured that the ministry would continue to support media organisations through improved access to credible information and sustained public enlightenment initiatives.
