Secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, has warned communication managers across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that leaking official secrets is a serious criminal offence.

At a one-day capacity-building workshop in Abuja, the SGF emphasised the gravity of unauthorised disclosure of government information.

“As you are aware, leaking an official secret is a felony, and there is no defence for such an act either in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the Freedom of Information Act,” Akume stated in a statement by Segun Imohiosen, the director of information in his office.

The workshop, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, focused on the role of the Official Secrets Acts in maintaining confidentiality and national security.

Akume, represented by the permanent secretary of General Services Office, stressed the importance of disseminating correct and truthful information while safeguarding sensitive government documents.

He warned that any breach of this trust would be met with severe consequences.

The SGF’s comments underline the government’s commitment to protecting national security through proper information management.

The workshop aimed to equip communication managers with the necessary skills to handle sensitive information responsibly and in compliance with existing laws.

In his opening remarks, the director-general of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, stated that the workshop aims to empower communication managers to recognise the critical roles they play in maintaining confidentiality and national security under the Official Secrets Act.

He added that it will also strengthen national unity through effective communication in public services and the use of social media for effective governance, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In his goodwill message, the national president of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, stated that communication is very sensitive and must be handled responsibly.

The national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr Christopher Isiguzo, said the training programme will offer a valuable opportunity to deepen one’s understanding of the Official Secrets Acts and their application in daily work.

He said it will also provide a platform for learning best practices, sharing experiences, and discussing strategies for effectively managing information within the bounds of confidentiality and security.