The Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, has urged Nigerian journalists to strengthen investigative reporting on corruption and illicit financial flows (IFFs), describing them as major obstacles to the country’s development and good governance.
Ugolor made the call while delivering his welcome address at a two-day Capacity Building Workshop for Journalists on Addressing Illicit Financial Flows in Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
The workshop was organised by ANEEJ in partnership with SecFin Africa and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) under the project, “Strengthening CSOs and Media Capacity to Promote Transparency and Accountability,” with support from the European Union.
Addressing journalists, media practitioners, civil society representatives and other stakeholders, Ugolor said corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, trade mis-invoicing, procurement fraud and profit shifting continue to drain resources needed for critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, social protection and job creation.
According to him, “the diversion of public resources through illicit financial flows weakens state institutions, deepens poverty and inequality, and undermines public confidence in government.”
While acknowledging that Nigeria has established legal and institutional frameworks to tackle financial crimes, Ugolor argued that laws alone are insufficient without effective implementation, citizen participation and sustained media scrutiny.
He described investigative journalism as a critical tool in exposing corruption, uncovering illicit financial networks, promoting accountability, and driving policy reforms.
“The media has a crucial responsibility in ensuring transparency by uncovering financial crimes and holding public officials and institutions accountable,” he said.
Ugolor explained that the workshop was designed to equip journalists with practical knowledge and investigative skills on illicit financial flows, money laundering, beneficial ownership, financial intelligence, data-driven journalism, access to information, media ethics and digital security.
He expressed confidence that participants would leave the training better equipped to produce evidence-based investigative reports that expose financial crimes and strengthen accountability in public institutions.
The ANEEJ Executive Director also encouraged journalists to collaborate more closely with civil society organisations, anti-corruption agencies and other accountability institutions, stressing that combating illicit financial flows requires a collective effort involving government, the media, civil society and citizens.
He thanked the European Union, Expertise France, the SecFin Africa Project, partner institutions, resource persons, and participants for supporting the initiative, and expressed optimism that the workshop would contribute to stronger investigative reporting on corruption and illicit financial flows in Nigeria.
