The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepen collaboration with the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the ongoing fight against corruption, fraud, and other financial crimes across Nigeria.
The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, made this known during a one-day sensitisation workshop organised for CSOs and journalists at the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate on Thursday.
According to him, the initiative aims to foster closer cooperation and enhance information sharing between anti-graft agencies, watchdog groups, and the media to strengthen transparency and accountability in public institutions.
Okay News reports that the workshop is part of EFCC’s renewed strategy to create a citizen-driven approach to combating corruption through awareness, partnership, and technology-based intelligence.
Represented by the Acting Zonal Director of the Kano Directorate, Mr. Sa’ad Hanafi, Olukoyede described the joint effort as “a collective national endeavour that requires synergy, trust, and shared intelligence.”
He explained that the workshop seeks to build stronger relationships between EFCC and critical stakeholders who influence public perception and policy direction in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.
“The aim to achieve from this workshop is to build and deepen a stronger, more collaborative relationship between the EFCC and your esteemed organisations. Our fight against corruption is not a solo mission; it is a collective national endeavour that requires synergy, trust, and shared intelligence,” Olukoyede stated.
He stressed that the decision to engage both CSOs and journalists was intentional, recognising their pivotal roles in shaping national consciousness and promoting accountability.
“You are critical drivers of change. CSOs serve as the conscience of society and a vital bridge between the government and the citizenry. Journalists, on the other hand, wield the powerful pen that shapes public opinion, holds power accountable, and illuminates the dark corners where corruption often thrives. Together, you are indispensable allies in the fight to safeguard our economy and our collective future,” he said.
The EFCC chairman further revealed that the workshop was designed to educate participants on modern forms of financial crimes, particularly cryptocurrency fraud and other cyber-enabled scams, which have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years.
He noted that understanding the legal and procedural challenges in prosecuting these crimes is essential to developing stronger, more coordinated interventions.
Olukoyede added that the EFCC was keen on equipping CSOs and journalists with the technical knowledge required to identify, expose, and report emerging threats effectively.
He emphasised that building public trust through collaboration and continuous engagement remains central to EFCC’s reform agenda.
The event, which drew participants from the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, and several local Civil Society Organisations, provided a platform for dialogue on how to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption architecture through a shared sense of responsibility.
In a related development, the EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have agreed to enhance their joint operations against money laundering, smuggling, and other cross-border economic crimes.
The resolution was reached earlier in the week when the newly appointed Customs Area Controller for the Oyo and Osun Area Command, Comptroller G.I. Aliyu, paid a familiarisation visit to the Acting Director of the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office, Assistant Commander Hauwa Ringim.
According to the EFCC, such inter-agency partnerships are vital to the nation’s economic stability and will continue to expand as Nigeria strengthens its war against corruption in all sectors.
