The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, has described the fight against corruption in Nigeria as extremely demanding, stressing the need for a united front to make meaningful progress.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Michael Nzekwe, at an awards ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday, Olukoyede noted that corruption continues to drain the continent’s resources, citing a loss of $88.6 billion annually to corruption in Africa. He warned that Nigeria, being the continent’s largest economy, bears the brunt of these losses through illicit financial flows amounting to 3.7 per cent of Africa’s GDP.
“Corruption is corrosive and unhealthy… we are withering daily under the crushing weight of corruption, but for our unrelenting efforts, the weight would have been heavier,” he said.
Olukoyede, honoured alongside National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, CEO of NUPRCOM Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, NELFUND boss Akintunde Oluwole Sawyerr, and Chairman of Emirate Logistics Prince Benson Onuwaje, stressed that Nigeria’s value system has worsened the corruption challenge. He blamed the societal tilt towards materialism and ostentation for fuelling the menace and urged a collective reorientation.
“The tendency towards materialism, ostentation and get-rich-by-all-means is the stubborn oil in the wheel of corruption… until we all agree that corruption in Nigeria is bred by this system, we may not be successful in tackling it,” he said.
He further explained that the EFCC was adopting a preventive strategy to nip corruption in the bud, adding that public recognition of anti-corruption efforts is a strong motivator.
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“I am delighted to be at this gathering for two reasons. One is because every appreciation of the agency’s anti-corruption efforts by individuals or groups is a shot in the arm. The second basis of my delight is the rising army of Nigerians taking the anti-corruption fight as a nationalistic responsibility,” he said.
In his remarks, NUPRCOM CEO Engr. Komolafe expressed gratitude for the honour, stating that being recognised by civil society would motivate his agency to further pursue transparency and diligent service.
“I have received so many awards, but this is very special and dear to my heart, especially coming from members of the civil society who have committed themselves to transparency in our nation,” he said.
NELFUND boss Akintunde Sawyerr pledged the agency’s commitment to expanding access to education, describing it as a right every Nigerian youth should enjoy.
“We believe that with education, nobody can cheat you… access to knowledge is key to societal advancement,” he said.
On his part, NHRC representative Comrade Popoola Ajayi noted that corruption transcends government institutions and is deeply rooted in society. He called for a broader societal cleanse beginning from homes and schools to build a future of transparent and responsible leadership.
“If the society is cleansed, starting from individuals, from homes and schools, there is a high possibility that the society will produce honest, transparent and selfless leadership,” he said.
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