EFCC labels public sector corruption as Nigeria’s greatest challenge

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has identified public sector corruption as Nigeria’s most significant challenge, with procurement and contract fraud accounting for an alarming 90% of corruption cases in the country.

Olukoyede made this revelation on Friday, January 17, 2025, during a meeting with a delegation from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), led by its newly-appointed Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Highlighting the scale of the problem, Olukoyede said, “In the EFCC, we handle both private and public sector fraud. When it comes to the public sector, which is one of our major problems in Nigeria, we discovered that contract and procurement fraud accounts for more than 90% of public sector fraud.

These range from commingling and contract splitting to all forms of shenanigans. Infrastructure deficits and developmental setbacks are directly attributable to contract and procurement fraud. It lies with you and me to make a change. If we can work together, we will leave this country better than when we met it.”

Olukoyede emphasized the need for robust collaboration between the EFCC and BPP, especially in project implementation and monitoring. He assured the delegation of the EFCC’s readiness to work closely with the BPP to ensure the effective execution of the 2025 national budget.

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“So, I like your commitment and the new spirit you have brought into the agency. We are going to work together and collaborate for the sake of this country to ensure the 2025 budget is well implemented and executed. There is no hiding place for BPP, and there is no hiding from the EFCC. That’s the truth,” Olukoyede asserted.

In response, the BPP Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, expressed the Bureau’s dedication to restoring integrity to Nigeria’s procurement processes. He assured the EFCC and Nigerians of a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability under his leadership.

“We are here to reassure you and your team that we are committed to making your job easier. We want to give Nigerians the assurance that it’s no longer business as usual. Every kobo spent on goods, works, and services must deliver value. Mistakes may have been made in the past, but we are here to make a difference,” Adedokun stated.

Adedokun further underscored the BPP’s mission to use procurement as a tool for good governance. He pledged to provide reliable documentation to support the EFCC’s investigations into fraud-related procurement issues, emphasizing openness and accountability in the Bureau’s operations.

The meeting marked the beginning of what both leaders described as a transformative partnership aimed at curbing the rampant corruption in Nigeria’s public sector.

With a shared commitment to transparency and efficiency, the EFCC and BPP aim to strengthen Nigeria’s procurement processes, ensuring that public funds are spent effectively and responsibly.

The session concluded with a mutual agreement to foster collaboration and accountability in governance, signaling hope for a more transparent and corruption-free public sector.