The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has expressed concern over Nigerians’ contradictory stance on corruption.
While many decry corrupt leadership, he noted, they often rally behind the same leaders when they face prosecution.
Speaking in Abuja during a visit by officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), led by Chris Olukolade, Olukoyede emphasised that national development would only be possible if all citizens viewed corruption as a common enemy.
“Everyone complains that Nigeria is corrupt, that the system is broken, and that corruption is destroying our country”, he said.
Olukoyede stressed the importance of collaboration with organisations like the CCC to enhance strategic communication and public engagement.
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He highlighted that public support is crucial to the EFCC’s success and announced plans to raise awareness about the agency’s activities and the importance of integrity among Nigerians.
“When we investigate high-profile cases and take individuals to court, the same people protesting against corruption will turn around and carry placards in support of corrupt leaders.
“This inconsistency undermines the fight against corruption, which should be a collective effort. No single agency can win this battle alone. Society, policymakers, and the welfare of citizens all have critical roles to play,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman also outlined his leadership priorities, stating that he has focused more on prevention than enforcement since assuming office.
He emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering in the commission’s recent breakthroughs.
“We are shifting our emphasis to prevention, which is a key part of our mandate. Instead of waiting for funds to be stolen before acting, we have created a new directorate—Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC)—to proactively block financial leakages,” Olukoyede explained.
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He added that the EFCC now has access to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), enabling it to track public funds and ensure capital projects are properly executed.
“By preventing corruption, there will be less to enforce. However, we are not abandoning enforcement; in fact, we are intensifying our efforts.
“But prevention is more cost-effective than reacting after the damage has been done. That is one of our key focus areas moving forward,” he added.
