President Bola Tinubu has commissioned a newly completed zonal headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ado Ekiti, describing the anti-graft agency as a key institution in Nigeria’s efforts to combat corruption, strengthen economic stability, and protect national security.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President formally opened the modern office complex, which will serve both Ekiti and Ondo states.
He said the EFCC continues to play a critical role in safeguarding public resources and maintaining confidence in the nation’s financial system.
Presidency Highlights Major EFCC Victories
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Tinubu pointed to several recent achievements recorded by the commission, including successful prosecutions involving prominent public officials.
According to the President, the conviction of a former minister and a former managing director of a national investment bank demonstrates that individuals involved in corruption can no longer rely on influence or status to avoid accountability.
He also praised the agency’s efforts against cybercrime and financial fraud, citing the disruption of a foreign-controlled cryptocurrency syndicate in Lagos.
The operation led to the conviction of 192 foreign nationals, a development he described as evidence of the commission’s growing effectiveness in tackling complex financial crimes.
Anti-Fraud Operations Boost Economic Reforms
Tinubu further noted that the EFCC’s actions against fraudulent investment schemes and Ponzi operations have contributed to improving Nigeria’s economic environment.
He said the commission’s work was instrumental in helping Nigeria secure removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, a development expected to enhance investor confidence and support ongoing economic reforms.
The President added that recovered assets and funds traced through anti-corruption operations have been redirected toward important national programmes, including the Students’ Loan Scheme and the Credit Corporation initiative.
Ekiti Government Defends Support for Project
Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the decision by the state government to provide land for the EFCC facility reflected its commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration with federal institutions.
He explained that beyond donating the site, the state government also supplied a 220kVA standby generator to ensure uninterrupted electricity at the facility.
Oyebanji expressed confidence that the new office would improve the commission’s operational capacity while making its services more accessible to residents of Ekiti and Ondo states who previously had to travel long distances to pursue financial crime cases.
EFCC Chairman Says New Office Closes Enforcement Gap
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede described the inauguration as a significant milestone in the agency’s expansion strategy.
He thanked President Tinubu for supporting the project and commended the Ekiti State Government for its role in making the facility a reality.
According to Olukoyede, the establishment of the zonal office eliminates a long-standing gap in the commission’s operational structure and will bring anti-corruption services closer to communities across Ekiti and Ondo states.
He assured residents that the commission would intensify efforts against fraudsters, cybercriminals, and illegal mining operators whose activities undermine economic growth and public welfare.
Renewed Commitment to Fight Corruption
The EFCC chairman stressed that corruption remains one of the most serious challenges facing Nigeria, arguing that many political, economic, social, and security problems can be linked to corrupt practices.
Despite existing challenges, he maintained that the commission remains committed to pursuing offenders and recovering stolen assets.
He emphasized that recovered resources have continued to support major national institutions and social intervention programmes, including initiatives linked to consumer credit and student financing.
Olukoyede also called on citizens, community leaders, and other stakeholders to support the agency’s mission, insisting that lasting success in the fight against corruption requires public participation and cooperation.
Top Officials Attend Ceremony
The inauguration attracted several prominent government and public figures, including Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Opeyemi Bamidele, Emmanuel Udende, former Ekiti governor Segun Oni, Ekiti State Chief Judge Lekan Ogunmoye, and Olufemi Oluyede.
The gathering underscored the significance attached to the new facility, which officials say will strengthen anti-corruption enforcement and improve service delivery across the two states.
