By Nkechi Eze
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged officers and men of the Commission to place integrity at the centre of their professional conduct, describing it as the lifeblood of credibility and the most important currency for sustaining relevance as Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency.
Olukoyede gave the charge on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the 2025 EFCC Recognition and Reward Ceremony, where outstanding members of staff were honoured for exemplary performance, diligence and dedication in the discharge of their duties.
Reiterating his long-standing insistence on integrity as the foundation of effective anti-corruption work, the EFCC Chairman stressed that the Commission’s reputation, strength and public acceptance are directly tied to the moral uprightness of its operatives.
“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 on our integrity. This is the most important charge I’m leaving with you all today,” he said.
He expressed profound 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 statutory mandate.
Commending officers and men of the Commission for their resilience and dedication, Olukoyede urged them to take pride in the collective achievements recorded over the year.
“I think we need to give ourselves a pat on the back for sailing through the year successfully and remarkably,” he stated.
The EFCC boss described the Commission’s mandate as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s nation-building process, likening the agency’s role to that of guardian angels protecting the economy from pillage, leakages, sabotage and other infractions.
He stressed that the enormous responsibility placed on the EFCC makes trust a sterling virtue that must never be compromised.
“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 said.
Highlighting the Commission’s performance in 2025, Olukoyede disclosed that EFCC recorded impressive recoveries and convictions during the year, while also making steady 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 noted.
However, he cautioned officers against complacency, stressing that success should be seen as a continuous journey rather than a final destination.
“Although all the performance indicators are rich, we have a responsibility to do better. Where we are is only a journey; where we are going is the only success point,” he added.
Speaking on the essence of the Recognition and Reward Ceremony, the EFCC Chairman explained that the initiative was designed to celebrate excellence, dedication and commitment to duty, while motivating personnel to consistently give their best.
“Every staff of the Commission is important and every work we do individually and collectively is also important. However, exemplary performance ought to be appreciated and this 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, disciplined and committed to excellence.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Organising Committee and Commander of the EFCC, CE Femi Peter Gbarufu, explained that the ceremony was organised to celebrate officers who distinguished themselves through commitment, dedication, diligence, perseverance, innovation and outstanding performance in their assigned responsibilities.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Staff of the Year Award, which was won by Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Bilkisu Buhari Bala.
Also honoured were 24 officers selected as Best Staff across various departments of the Commission.
Among the awardees were Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Monday Ocholi Attah, Best Staff in the Office of the Executive Chairman; Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Martha Ojochokutami Eche, Best Staff in the Public Affairs Department; Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I Patience Saba Peter, Best Staff in the Finance and Accounts Department; Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I Yusuf Awang Mangut, Best Staff in the Administration and Human Resources Department; Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Abiodun Adebanjo, Best Staff in the Planning, Policy, Research and Statistics Department; Inspector of the EFCC, IE I Shehu Muhammad Auwal; and Detective Assistant, DA II Zaharadeen Yakubu Adamu, Best Staff in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission, among others.
The ceremony also recognised prosecutors with the highest convictions, sections with the highest convictions and recoveries, as well as officers who have served the Commission for 20 years and above with Long Service Awards.
The event underscored the EFCC’s resolve to promote professionalism, reward excellence and strengthen institutional integrity as it continues its mandate to combat economic and financial crimes across the country.
