The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged universities across Nigeria to urgently integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their ethical and financial management systems to combat corruption and improve accountability.
Olukoyede made the call on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Kano while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN).
Describing AI as a “necessary defence,” the EFCC boss warned that Nigeria’s university system risks falling behind in the global shift toward technology-driven governance if urgent steps are not taken.
He noted that universities manage multi-billion-naira resources, including tuition fees, TETFund allocations, and research grants, yet continue to face accountability challenges.
He stated, “The EFCC has investigated cases involving inflated contracts, ghost workers, and diverted students’ fees in tertiary institutions across the federation. Each case represents not only a loss of public funds but also a betrayal of the trust placed in the university system by parents, students, and taxpayers.”
He stressed that institutions lacking financial transparency cannot credibly produce ethical professionals, adding that university integrity is a matter of national security.
Olukoyede outlined key areas where AI could strengthen governance in universities, including fraud detection, automated auditing, payroll management, procurement oversight, and academic integrity.
He cited the EFCC’s “Operation Eagle Flush” in December 2024 as an example of AI’s effectiveness. The operation led to the arrest of 792 suspects, including 193 foreign nationals, in a major crackdown on cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams targeting victims in North America and Europe.
The EFCC chairman called on university governing councils to establish AI and Digital Governance Committees, develop Digital Integrity Strategies, and invest in digital infrastructure such as broadband, cybersecurity, and cloud systems.
He also advocated partnerships with the EFCC and other agencies for joint training and intelligence sharing, alongside the adoption of AI Codes of Ethics to safeguard privacy, prevent bias, and protect academic freedom.
Despite highlighting AI’s potential, Olukoyede cautioned that technology alone cannot solve systemic issues.
According to him, “No matter how sophisticated the technology might be, its effectiveness ultimately depends on the integrity of the human beings who will utilise the tools,” warning that AI would not yield results without addressing existing ethical deficits within institutions.
He further warned of risks such as over-reliance on automation, erosion of professional judgment, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Olukoyede concluded by reiterating that the fight against corruption requires collective responsibility, emphasizing the EFCC’s readiness to collaborate with universities to strengthen transparency and accountability across the sector.
