Federal Govt Seeks Stronger Public Sensitisation To Boost CCB Role

The Federal Government has reiterated the need for intensified public sensitisation to strengthen the mandate of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical standards within Nigeria’s public service.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Bureau, Dr Abdullahi Usman Bello, and his delegation to the Ministry in Abuja.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration in the fight against corruption.

Idris emphasised that public enlightenment remains critical in preventing corruption and unethical conduct, describing awareness as a cornerstone 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 said.

The minister underscored the Bureau’s preventive mandate, noting that its role extends beyond enforcement to preventing 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 added.

He further called for sustained institutional collaboration, stressing that continuous engagement is essential for 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,” Idris said.

Highlighting the need for synergy, the minister noted that enforcement and awareness must work together to ensure meaningful compliance.

“Enforcement and awareness must go hand in hand; without awareness, enforcement alone will not stop unethical conduct,” he stated.

He assured the Bureau of the Ministry’s full support, pledging to deploy its agencies to amplify the CCB’s activities and promote accountability across government institutions.

Earlier, Bello highlighted the importance of strategic collaboration with the Ministry, particularly in advancing 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.

He disclosed that the Bureau is seeking a partnership with the Ministry in areas such as nationwide sensitisation campaigns, media engagement, capacity-building for public officers, and the dissemination of its activities to boost public awareness.

Bello added that leveraging the Ministry’s communication platforms would enhance compliance with asset declaration requirements and promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency in the public service.