EFCC to LG Chairmen: Accountability Must Reach Grassroots
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has said the commission will deepen its anti-corruption enforcement at the grassroots, stressing that increased resources accruing to local governments must translate into tangible development for citizens.
Olukoyede stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the maiden Annual National Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers Councils. He was represented at the event by the Director of Public Affairs Department and Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren.
The EFCC chairman said the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability extended beyond the Federal Government to the sub-national level, particularly as local governments receive increased resources. He said the ultimate measure of such funding should be its impact on the quality of life of people at the grassroots.
“The EFCC is equally committed to transparency and accountability at the sub-national level and would want to see the improved resources flow to the third tier of government translate into improvement in the quality of lives of the grassroots population,” he said.
Olukoyede also highlighted the use of recovered proceeds of crime for public investment, noting that the Federal Government had approved ₦50 billion each from EFCC recoveries for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), with additional funding approved in 2026. He also cited the conversion of the forfeited NOK University in Kaduna State into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, where 1,909 students had matriculated by December 2025.
On national security, the EFCC boss said economic crimes and security threats could no longer be treated as separate issues, citing terrorist financing, illegal mining, cross-border cybercrime and money laundering among the areas requiring sustained enforcement.
He said the commission had also continued to strengthen its digital operations, including investments in cybercrime investigation and technology, as part of efforts to protect Nigeria’s growing digital economy from fraud and abuse.
Olukoyede stressed that enforcement must be conducted within the law, saying, “No title should place anyone outside the reach of the law, but neither should the fight against corruption be separated from due process.”
He further disclosed that the EFCC had recorded recoveries exceeding ₦1.233 trillion, alongside recoveries in US dollars, pounds sterling and euros, during the period covered by his recent stewardship account. He said recovered funds had been returned to government institutions, companies, individuals and revenue authorities, stressing that the value of asset recovery lies in putting recovered resources to productive use.
The EFCC chairman urged local government chairmen to make accountability a practical principle across the third tier of government, especially as more resources become available to councils. He said the commission was equally strengthening its internal standards through measures including new arrest and bail guidelines and conflict-of-interest safeguards.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said his administration was focused on reducing the distance between government and the people by widening access to public services and creating more centres of development.
The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said Nigeria could not achieve sustainable development from the centre alone, stressing that development must take root from the grassroots.
He urged local government chairmen to ensure that Nigerians experience improved primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, safe water, stronger food systems, support for small businesses and greater opportunities for women and young people.
