By Secrets Reporters
Behind the figures recorded in the 2023 financial records of the Nigerian Press Council lies a procurement trail in which seven companies received more than ₦423 million, while a review by SecretsReporters found that the companies were related to a single person or promoter.
The review of the Nigerian Press Council’s 2023 financial year identified irregularities totalling ₦862,690,890.53 across four findings, with the largest involving ₦423,920,122.66 paid to seven companies that auditors found were related to one person or promoter.
The payments involved seven ostensibly separate contractors, but the companies were found to have a relationship with a single person, a violation of Sections 24(1), 31(1) and 41(2) of the Public Procurement Act 2007, which provide requirements concerning open competitive bidding, examination of bids and the procurement of quotations from contractors.
When the Executive Secretary was asked to respond to the finding, the Council requested a two-week extension in August 2025, stating that the findings were “complex”. As at November 2025, no further response had been provided.
In a separate issue, a finding involving ₦269,143,566.23 paid to three companies for construction and sensitisation programmes was uncovered. The contracts were awarded without a competitive bidding process, and other qualified contractors were not given the opportunity to submit quotations or bids. There was also no evidence of due diligence to support the awards and payments. This is not in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007, including provisions relating to competitive procurement.
Another ₦101,920,701.24 was paid to six contractors through six separate payment vouchers. The vouchers were not entered into the Nigerian Press Council’s cashbook. Violating Paragraph 802 of the Financial Regulations 2009, which requires payments to be promptly recorded in the cashbook and supported by the appropriate numbered receipt or payment voucher.
When asked about the issue, the Executive Secretary failed to provide justification for these actions.
The fourth finding involved ₦67,706,500.40 spent on training, workshops and conference attendance. No evidence establishing that the beneficiaries attended the training, workshops or conferences for which the funds were expended.
This is not in line with Paragraph 3117 of the Financial Regulations 2009, which deals with irregular contract awards and provides the applicable sanction for such breaches.
During the time under review, Dr. Dili Ezughah serves as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Press Council, after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu in October 2023.
