EFCC Dedicated to Fostering Integrity and Transparency - Olukoyede

Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), emphasized the Commission's dedication to fostering integrity, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria.

He made these remarks on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, during a strategic session focused on restructuring the Integrity Icon Nigeria (IIN) Awards at the Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja. "Our nation's integrity rating has been significantly impacted by various unethical practices, and every effort we make to change this narrative is both a patriotic duty and a rewarding endeavor. These efforts reflect our collective commitment to enhancing transparency, accountability, and integrity in our country," he stated. Represented by the Assistant Commander of the EFCC II and Head of the Commission's Enlightenment Unit, Aisha Mohammed, Olukoyede described the Integrity Icon Nigeria Awards as "an innovative initiative aimed at reinstating our country's global respectability." He reiterated that integrity is a fundamental value for the EFCC, asserting that promoting ethical conduct is vital for national development. "There is no more effective way to drive development on individual, corporate, national, and international levels than through integrity. The Integrity Icon Nigeria Award serves as a symbol of hope, encouraging citizens to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards while restoring our nation's lost prestige," he explained. Olukoyede urged the award's organizers, Accountability Lab, to exercise diligence in the selection process, emphasizing that the credibility of nominees would enhance the award's value and stature. "The only way to honor those receiving the award is to ensure they are credible Nigerians with established records of integrity and commitment to national progress," he remarked. He called on all Nigerians to participate in initiatives aimed at rebuilding the national image and fostering ethical awareness.
He proposed a strategic alliance between Accountability Lab and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to further disseminate the message of integrity throughout the country. "Nigeria is our shared heritage. Everyone must contribute to ensure it regains its rightful place in the community of nations," he asserted. "The EFCC will continue to support every genuine effort aimed at fostering our nation's growth and development. This should inspire every Nigerian, and we believe our nation can achieve greatness once more." Mnenga Shiiwua, Public Policy and Research Officer for Accountability Lab Nigeria, expressed gratitude for the support received by the IIN award over the years, highlighting that it has recognized 40 civil servants in an eight-year span, recognizing five icons annually with support from the MacArthur Foundation. "This campaign has shifted the dialogue on accountability from focusing solely on negative portrayals of civil servants to celebrating positive examples of ethical leadership in the public sector," he noted. In a goodwill message on behalf of SERVICOM, Tony Ochelegbe praised Accountability Lab for its initiatives and promised SERVICOM's assistance in reaching out to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during the award nomination process. "SERVICOM is thrilled with Accountability Lab's endeavors. Whenever you encounter any governmental agency that is difficult to reach, SERVICOM will help facilitate communication with those MDAs so you can thoroughly evaluate your nominees," he stated. The event drew participants from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), NOA, and various civil society organizations, all contributing suggestions to enhance the campaign's structure and outreach. The Integrity Icon Nigeria Award, a global initiative by Accountability Lab, is a citizen-led effort aimed at highlighting dedicated civil servants and fostering national discourse on integrity, honesty, and responsible governance. This session focused on revising the award's procedures to improve the initiative's impact and sustainability while allowing an opportunity to assess lessons learned and incorporate inclusivity in line with Chatham House's recommendations on recognition and reward systems.