FIC Report (Ekiti State) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the commitment of the administration to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions, declaring that corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to national development and economic prosperity.
Tinubu who was represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima spoke at the commissioning of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ekiti Zonal Directorate Office Complex in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Tuesday, said no nation could rise above the integrity of its public institutions.
He described the new office complex as a significant milestone in the nation’s anti-corruption campaign and a demonstration of the government’s resolve to equip critical institutions with the resources needed to perform effectively.
According to him, “The future of any nation depends on the institutions it builds and the confidence citizens place in them. No nation can rise above the integrity of its public systems because development is delayed when corruption is allowed to stand between citizens and the promises of the state.”
He noted that the EFCC was established to safeguard public trust, protect the economy from criminal activities and ensure accountability in public service.
The Vice President commended the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the management of the commission for what he described as their relentless and courageous pursuit of the anti-corruption mandate, stressing that the new facility underscored the government’s belief that the anti-graft war must be institutionalized and sustained.
Shettima said the Tinubu administration considered it imperative to provide law enforcement agencies with modern facilities capable of enhancing efficiency and productivity.
He expressed confidence that the new state-of-the-art office complex would further motivate EFCC personnel in their efforts to combat economic and financial crimes.
“The fight against corruption must be organised, sustained and supported by the right institutions, the right tools and the right work environment. This facility will further motivate the staff of the EFCC to rededicate themselves to combat economic and financial crimes, which remain major obstacles to our nation’s progress,” he stated.
Highlighting some of the commission’s recent achievements, the Vice President said the EFCC had played a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s economic and national security architecture.
He cited the agency’s successful crackdown on cybercrime syndicates, including the dismantling of a foreign-controlled cryptocurrency fraud network in Lagos that led to the conviction of 192 foreign nationals.
He also credited the commission with helping to improve Nigeria’s international reputation through its efforts in combating money laundering and financial crimes.
Shettima further noted that assets recovered through EFCC operations had contributed significantly to key government intervention programmes, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Consumer Credit Scheme under CreditCorp.
He urged the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to sustain the momentum in the anti-corruption campaign, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to support anti-graft agencies through improved welfare, operational independence, training opportunities and conducive working environments.
Congratulating the personnel of the EFCC’s Ekiti Zonal Directorate as well as the governments and people of Ekiti and Ondo states, Shettima urged officers who would operate from the new facility to remain committed to the ideals of justice, accountability and professionalism.
Speaking, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, assured residents of Ekiti and Ondo states of a more robust and accessible anti-corruption campaign following the commissioning of the Commission’s new Ekiti Zonal Directorate office complex in Ado-Ekiti.
Olukoyede described the project as a major milestone in strengthening the EFCC’s institutional capacity and deepening the fight against corruption across the two states.
According to him, the establishment of the zonal directorate addresses years of operational challenges arising from the previous arrangement in which Ekiti and Ondo states were supervised from distant EFCC zones, creating gaps in enforcement and service delivery.
He said the new facility would ensure that anti-corruption efforts are brought closer to the people.
The EFCC chairman expressed appreciation to the Ekiti State Government for providing the land and supporting the project from conception to completion, thanking the President, the National Assembly and Nigerians for their support, which he said made the project a reality.
Olukoyede, however, urged residents not to view the Commission’s presence with fear, stressing that the EFCC was committed to a people-driven approach to law enforcement.
He noted that law-abiding citizens had nothing to worry about and called on members of the public to collaborate with the Commission in its efforts to combat corruption and economic crimes.
He pledged that the new office would serve as a stronghold against fraud, cybercrime and illegal mining activities in the region, warning that perpetrators would find no hiding place.
The EFCC, he said, would continue to deploy every available legal means to protect the economic wellbeing of citizens and safeguard national resources.
The Chairman further explained that the modern facility was designed to enhance staff productivity and operational efficiency.
He said the former structure had been transformed into a well-equipped office complex featuring modern workstations, furnished offices, a holding facility for suspects and a canteen for both staff and detainees.
Describing corruption as the greatest threat to national development, Olukoyede said virtually every political, economic, social and security challenge confronting the country could be linked to corrupt practices.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to eradicate the menace and strengthen accountability in public and private institutions.
To demonstrate the agency’s resolve, he cited recent landmark convictions secured by the EFCC, including that of a former Managing Director of NEXIM Bank who was sentenced to 490 years imprisonment, as well as former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who received a 75-year jail term for fraud linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla power projects. He noted that neither convict was given the option of a fine.
Olukoyede also highlighted the Commission’s achievements in asset recovery and corruption prevention, noting that recovered assets had been channelled into key national programmes such as the student loan and consumer credit schemes.
He also called on residents and stakeholders in Ekiti and Ondo states to take ownership of the anti-corruption campaign by supporting the Commission’s activities.
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji expressed delight over the inauguration of the zonal office in the state, adding that the building would complement the anti-corruption crusade of the federal government.
Oyebanji reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in government, noting that the previous challenges of travelling distances for petitions would be addressed by the new complex.
The event was attended by prominent leaders in the country including Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, National Assembly members, top presidential aides, Chief of Defence Staff, traditional rulers, among others.
Omotola Oluyemisi
AD (I&PR)
10/06/2026.
