Compliance Failures: The Root of Corruption in MDAs - Olukoyede

Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has criticized the widespread non-compliance with best practices and regulations in the country's Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), identifying it as a significant factor in Nigeria's corruption issues.

He made these remarks in Abuja on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, while speaking to a delegation from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), led by Executive Vice Chairman Khalil Halilu, at the EFCC headquarters. Olukoyede highlighted that both government agencies and private sector entities in Nigeria frequently fail to meet established regulatory standards, leaving them vulnerable to malpractices, abuses, and corrupt activities. "Our MDAs significantly lack compliance, which poses a serious problem. There is inadequate adherence to regulations in contract awards, management practices, and financial protocols. This lack of compliance is what fosters corruption and financial crimes. Non-compliance is a violation, and once a breach occurs, it opens the door for further misconduct, allowing others who are watching to exploit these weaknesses and engage in even greater wrongdoing," he stated. He commended the current leadership of NASENI for its achievements, particularly in developing the Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in collaboration with the EFCC. Olukoyede emphasized the importance of NASENI's staff commitment to adhering to these documents and assured the agency of the EFCC's ongoing support. "While the CRA is valuable, it will not lead to real change unless the personnel are willing to embrace change and adhere to due processes. I commend you for the commendable progress made during your tenure," he noted. Halilu expressed his satisfaction with the strong collaboration between NASENI and the EFCC, explaining that the purpose of the visit was to thank the EFCC and request continued goodwill from the Commission. "One of my first actions upon assuming this position was to invite the EFCC to assess our processes and procedures to see how we could enhance them. We are here today to express our gratitude for that relationship," he said. The initiative to develop NASENI's CRA and SOP commenced in 2022, involving a team comprising nine EFCC officers and ten NASENI officials. The project was completed by the end of last year, resulting in a comprehensive SOP totaling 1,900 pages across 45 booklets. Halilu labeled this project as a significant accomplishment for NASENI, stating, "That is why we are here today to express our appreciation to the EFCC for their support, providing us with nine of their top professionals to evaluate NASENI and offer recommendations on preventing corruption. We desire to maintain this collaborative relationship.