The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed to deepen its anti-corruption enforcement at the grassroots, warning local government chairmen that increased resources to the third tier of government must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, stated this on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in Abuja at the maiden Annual National Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen and Chairmen of Traditional Rulers’ Councils.
Olukoyede, who was represented at the conference by the Director of the Public Affairs Department and Commander of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the Commission’s commitment to accountability extended beyond the federal level to the sub-national tier.
He said the increased resources now available to local governments should be reflected in improved living conditions for people at the grassroots.
“The EFCC is equally committed to transparency and accountability at the sub-national level and would want to see the improved resources flow to the third tier of government translate into improvement in the quality of lives of the grassroots population,” he said
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Olukoyede said the Commission’s anti-corruption efforts supported every pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that accountability must become a practical principle across all levels of government.
The EFCC chairman highlighted the use of recovered proceeds of crime for public investment, citing the Federal Government’s allocation of ₦50 billion each from recovered funds to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP).
He said additional funding had subsequently been approved for both initiatives.
Olukoyede also cited the conversion of the forfeited former NOK University in Kaduna State into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, as an example of how recovered assets could be put to productive public use.
According to him, the institution had enrolled 1,909 students by December 2025.
“Recovery reaches its highest value when recovered assets are returned to citizens or converted into productive national use,” he said.
The EFCC chairman disclosed that between October 2023 and the period covered by the Commission’s recent stewardship account, the agency recorded recoveries exceeding ₦1.233 trillion, in addition to about $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million.
He said approximately two-thirds of the naira recovered had been returned to ministries, departments and agencies, state revenue services, companies and individuals.
He added that federal and state tax recoveries alone amounted to about ₦288.1 billion.
Olukoyede further disclosed that approximately ₦661.32 billion and $492.37 million had been released to beneficiaries during the period under review, including individuals, companies, government institutions and revenue authorities.
On national security, the EFCC chairman said economic crimes and security threats could no longer be treated as separate issues.
He identified terrorist financing, illegal mining, cross-border cybercrime and money laundering as economic crimes with serious national-security implications.
He disclosed that the Commission’s specialised enforcement portfolio had recorded 920 cases and 212 convictions, with investigations and prosecutions continuing in areas including money laundering, terrorist financing, illegal mining and virtual-assets fraud.
Olukoyede also said nearly 60 per cent of the Commission’s processes and operations had been digitalised.
He said the EFCC was continuing to invest in its Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre and investigative technology to protect Nigeria’s expanding digital economy from fraud and abuse.
The EFCC chairman said the Commission would continue to enforce the law while respecting due process and the constitutional role of the courts.
“We will investigate professionally, prosecute on the strength of evidence, and respect the constitutional role of the courts in determining guilt or innocence. No title should place anyone outside the reach of the law, but neither should the fight against corruption be separated from due process,” he said.
Olukoyede said the EFCC was also strengthening its internal standards, including new arrest and bail guidelines and conflict-of-interest safeguards.
He said the measures were necessary to ensure that an institution demanding accountability from others also subjected itself to the same standards.
He urged government officials at all levels to make accountability “a living principle rather than a slogan,” particularly as more resources flowed to local councils.
Olukoyede also linked Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 to sustained inter-agency reforms in which the EFCC played a central role.
He said the development was significant not only for Nigeria’s international reputation but also for economic growth and investor confidence.
According to him, international investors consider not only the size of an economy but also the strength of its institutions and the integrity of its financial system.
Also speaking at the conference, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said his administration’s vision was to shorten the distance between government and the governed, widen access to public services and create more centres of local development.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said his administration had, since 2023, pursued national development based on the belief that Nigeria could not develop from the centre alone.
“Development must take root from the bottom up,” the President said.
He urged local government chairmen to ensure that Nigerians across the country experienced improvements in primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, access to safe water and food systems.
He also highlighted the need for greater support for small businesses, women and young people.
“Nigerians in all parts of the country must witness and experience better primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, safe water, stronger food systems, support for small businesses and opportunities for women and young people,” Tinubu said.
