By Nkechi Eze
The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and President, Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, NACIWA, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged representatives of the fourteen member countries of NACIWA on improved international cooperation and collaboration as vital tools to curb corruption in the West African region.
The commission’s spokesperson Dele Oyewale in an official signed statement disclosed that Olukoyede gave the charge in Suleja, Niger State on Monday, April 7, 2025 while speaking at a 5-day Regional Certification Training on Financial Investigation for Anti-Corruption Institutions in ECOWAS Member States
According to him, the threats being posed by corruption to NACIWA member nations are trans-national and to confront them, stronger synergy among the nations is imperative.
“As many of you are aware, the threats we face are not confined within national borders. They are sophisticated, tech-enabled, and deeply embedded within political and economic structures. To effectively confront these challenges, we must work together by sharing intelligence, harmonizing our methods and speaking in one voice as a region committed to integrity and justice”, he said.
The anti-graft czar who spoke through the Director, Administration and Human Resources of the EFCC, Commander of EFCC, CE Femi Gbarufu further explained that the training, a product of strategic collaboration among NACIWA, EFCC and ECOWAS Commission, was a reflection of the shared determination of member countries to go beyond rhetorics by investing in tangible capacity-building efforts to enhance the operational capabilities of the operators of the anti-graft institutions across West Africa.
The Acting Commandant, EFCC Academy, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE I Joseph Ogwiji, in his remark said “as the designated center of excellence for NACIWA, the EFCC Academy has designed a comprehensive and forward- thinking curriculum tailored to equip participants with strategic, preventive, investigative, legal and technological tools required to address emerging and evolving financial crimes”.
“In this light, this training offers a platform for experience-sharing, peer learning, and regional synergy towards dismantling complex illicit financial networks. It is also a call to uphold integrity at all times”.
The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, applauded the leadership ability of Olukoyede, stressing that NACIWA is gaining strength through his visionary and exemplary efforts.
“I would like to express my appreciation to the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) and in particular Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman, EFCC and the current President of NACIWA for his leadership and continued collaboration with ECOWAS Commission”, he said.
He condemned the havoc corruption is wreaking on Africa, pointing out that “research result indicates that Africa loses a staggering $88.6 Billion annually due to corruption and illicit financial flows which takes up 3.7% of the continent’s GDP”
“Indeed corruption and financial crimes are among the biggest obstacles to economic and social development in West Africa and around the World.”
Musah who spoke through Ebenezer Asiedu, Head, Democracy and Good Governance Division, ECOWAS Commission, assured that the ECOWAS Commission, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the enviable height of regional integration and political development experienced over the years in West Africa is consolidated and remains a global reference point.
