The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has praised the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for prioritizing the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows in its Country Program for Nigeria (2026–2030).
Olukoyede gave the commendation on Friday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at the official launch of the program, describing corruption as a major threat to both national and global development.
According to him, the UNODC initiative is timely and significant, particularly in addressing the economic and social costs of corruption in Nigeria. He stressed the need for sustained efforts to reverse the trend.
“For the EFCC, the program’s emphasis on combating corruption and illicit financial flows is particularly significant.
“Corruption continues to impose enormous economic and social costs on our country. Hence the imperative of sustained action to turn the tide,” he said.
The EFCC chairman noted that the program’s launch comes at a critical time when Nigeria and the global community are facing evolving threats from transnational organized crime, terrorism, cyber-enabled offences, and illicit financial activities.
He warned that criminal networks are increasingly exploiting technology, global financial systems, and governance gaps to move illicit funds across borders at high speed, underscoring the need for coordinated responses and stronger international cooperation.
Olukoyede also highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the EFCC and UNODC, expressing confidence that the new program would deliver impactful results through its focus on capacity development, inter-agency cooperation, and data-driven strategies.
He added that the initiative aligns with the EFCC’s mandate and broader commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
The UNODC, in its remarks, emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, noting its potential to drive positive change across the region.
The launch event attracted key stakeholders from across the justice and security sectors, including representatives of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation.
The program is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s institutional capacity in tackling corruption, organised crime, and illicit financial flows over the next five years.
