The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged officers and men of the Commission to uphold integrity as the cornerstone of relevance and credibility in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
Olukoyede gave the charge on Saturday at the EFCC’s 2025 Recognition and Reward Ceremony, where staff members were honoured for exemplary performance in the discharge of their duties.
The EFCC boss reiterated that integrity remains the key driver of credibility, stressing that the Commission can only sustain its status as Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency if it continues to rank high on the integrity scale.
“Let me say for the umpteenth time that, as operatives of the EFCC, we are as strong as our integrity and as weak as our compromises. Integrity is the only currency of acceptance in every clime.
“If we want to remain relevant as the nation’s foremost anti-corruption agency, we must sustain and improve our integrity.
“This is the most important charge I am leaving with you today,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to God for preserving the Commission throughout the 2025 operational year, noting that despite numerous challenges, the EFCC recorded remarkable progress in the execution of its mandate.
Commending officers for their resilience and dedication, Olukoyede urged them to take pride in the collective achievements recorded during the year.
“I think we need to give ourselves a pat on the back for sailing through the year successfully and remarkably,” he said.
Describing the EFCC’s mandate as a critical pillar of nation-building, the Chairman likened the Commission’s role to that of guardian angels protecting the economy from pillage, leakages, sabotage, and other infractions.
He added that the enormous responsibility placed on the EFCC makes trust a vital virtue that must be upheld.
“Trust is the biggest burden of life. The nation is looking up to us to uphold the huge trust and confidence reposed in us,” he stated.
Highlighting the Commission’s performance in 2025, Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC recorded impressive recoveries and convictions during the year, noting that the agency made progress across multiple operational fronts.
“From every indication, we did quite well in 2025. Our recoveries are impressive, as well as our convictions. We are progressing on all fronts,” he said.
However, he cautioned against complacency, emphasising that success should be viewed as a continuous journey rather than a destination.
“Although all the performance indicators are encouraging, we have a responsibility to do better. Where we are is only a journey; where we are going is the true success point,” he added.
Speaking on the essence of the Recognition and Reward Ceremony, Olukoyede said the initiative was designed to celebrate excellence, dedication, and commitment to duty, while motivating officers to always give their best.
“Every staff member of the Commission is important, and every work we do individually and collectively matters. However, exemplary performance deserves recognition, and that is what we are here to do today,” he said.
He urged award recipients to see the recognition as a call to even greater service, while encouraging other officers to remain steadfast and committed to excellence.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Organising Committee and Commander of the EFCC, CE Femi Peter Gbarufu, said the ceremony was organized to honour officers who distinguished themselves through commitment, diligence, perseverance, innovation, and outstanding performance in their assigned responsibilities.
The event featured the presentation of the Staff of the Year Award, won by the Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Bilkisu Buhari Bala.
Also honoured were 24 officers selected as Best Staff across various departments of the Commission.
Other awardees included Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 11 Monday Ocholi Attah; Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Martha Ojochokutami Eche, Best Staff in the Public Affairs Department; Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE 1 Patience Saba Peter, Best Staff in the Finance and Accounts Department; Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE 1 Yusuf Awang Mangut, Best Staff in the Administration and Human Resources Department; and Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 1 Abiodun Adebanjo, Best Staff in the Planning, Policy, Research and Statistics Department, among others.
The ceremony also recognised prosecutors with the highest convictions, sections with the highest convictions and recoveries, and officers who have served the Commission for 20 years and above with Long Service Awards.
