By Nkechi Eze
In a significant show of inter-agency solidarity, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has received high commendation from the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children for promoting openness, accessibility, and a culture of collaboration within the nation’s anti-corruption agency.
The Executive Secretary of the Almajiri Commission, Muhammad Sani Idris, gave the commendation on Friday, June 20, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the Commission’s top management team to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
According to an official statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Idris described Olukoyede’s leadership as unprecedented in the history of the Commission. He noted that the EFCC had previously been perceived as unapproachable by many, especially when issues involving account audits arose.
“I want to start by commending you for keeping your doors widely open for other agencies to interface with you. This is unprecedented in the history of the EFCC. Before now, when people hear that anyone is coming to the EFCC, they would be scared, especially when it has to do with account auditing,” Idris said.
The Almajiri Commission boss used the opportunity to highlight the plight of millions of Nigerian children who fall under the Almajiri and out-of-school demographic. He revealed that over 50 million vulnerable Nigerians currently face extreme deprivation, identity loss, and exposure to dangerous ideologies.
“In Maiduguri alone, we have over 20,000 almajiri children with no link to their families. Some were brought at age three and are now 25, with no knowledge of their origin. Their malams are dead, and they have no identity. These children are vulnerable to every kind of ideology, including those propagated by groups like Boko Haram,” Idris stated.
He further explained that the lack of both Arabic and basic literacy among the children makes them easy targets for recruitment by extremist groups and other criminal networks.
While praising the EFCC’s commitment to tackling corruption and promoting transparency, Idris appealed for assistance, particularly in the area of welfare support such as food supplies for vulnerable children.
In response, Olukoyede expressed concern over the alarming figures presented by the Almajiri Commission and pledged the EFCC’s support within the limits of its operational capacity.
“We are ready to work with you and support you in every modest way we can. The issue of Almajiri is one that concerns me personally. Without education, many of us wouldn’t be sitting here today,” the EFCC Chairman said. “It’s mind-boggling to hear that over 50 million Nigerians are vulnerable. That means one in every five Nigerians is at risk. It’s a serious issue that goes beyond your Commission. It affects national security and by extension, our mandate at the EFCC.”
Olukoyede clarified that while the EFCC does not store food items due to their perishable nature, the agency is committed to supporting structural initiatives that address the underlying causes of corruption, insecurity, and exploitation particularly poor education and limited awareness.
He also urged the Almajiri Commission to remain vigilant and report any attempts by individuals or contractors to defraud the agency or divert resources meant for the welfare of vulnerable populations.
The meeting reinforced the importance of collaborative governance and marked a promising step toward joint efforts to combat not only financial crimes but also the socio-economic conditions that fuel them.
