Embrace accountability, transparency, EFCC chairman urges federal appointees
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has urged newly appointed Chief Executive Officers, Chairmen, and Members of Governing Boards of Federal Parastatals and Agencies to uphold transparency, accountability, and good governance in the discharge of their duties.
Olukoyede gave the charge in Abuja on Thursday, July 31, 2025, while delivering a paper titled “The Role of the EFCC in Improving Accountability in Public Service” at the induction programme for the new appointees. He described public service as a platform to serve the people, not an opportunity for personal enrichment.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s public service operates under strict codes of conduct, service rules, and financial regulations meant to ensure integrity and effectiveness. “Without transparency and accountability, it will be difficult to deliver meaningful impact and make the public service effective,” he stated.
The EFCC Chairman condemned the mismanagement of public funds, saying corruption in the public sector continues to fuel poverty, insecurity, and failing infrastructure. He referenced his Senate confirmation appearance, where he revealed that Nigeria lost ₦2.9 trillion to procurement fraud between 2018 and 2020.
According to him, the misused funds could have built 1,000 kilometres of road, 200 tertiary institutions, 20,000 housing units, world-class hospitals, and trained 6,000 students through all levels of education. “Every decision you make affects lives. By a single act of corruption, hospitals remain broken, roads are left unfixed, and children are denied education,” he warned.
He urged the appointees to carefully review internal processes within their agencies and consult experts or anti-corruption bodies when in doubt, in order to avoid common pitfalls that have derailed many public officers.
Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s role not only as an enforcement agency but also as a partner in prevention, providing support to help public servants stay within the bounds of the law.
Other speakers at the event included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack; Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Dasuki Arabi; and House Committee Chairman on Public Service Reforms, Hon. Sani Bala.
