Share!
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged newly inducted chairmen, chief executives, and board members of federal parastatals and agencies to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Olukoyede made the remarks on Thursday during an induction programme for governing board members and CEOs of federal agencies, held at the Abuja.
In a moment of candour, the EFCC boss narrated how public perception and expectations changed drastically after his appointment.
“More than 50% of those who congratulated me when I was appointed now turn their faces away when they see me,” he said. “And I told them not to congratulate me—pray for me instead.”
While congratulating the newly appointed board members, Olukoyede warned humorously but pointedly:
“Let me sincerely congratulate you. But please, I do not want to see your faces in any of our cells.”
The anti-graft czar emphasized that corruption prevention must go beyond enforcement. According to him, systemic failure continues to breed financial crimes and abuse of office, and must be addressed through a combination of reforms and moral reorientation.
“Enforcement is just one aspect of the fight. We must introduce strong preventative mechanisms, promote value orientation, and strengthen our institutions. The legal system also needs urgent reforms,” he said.
He stressed the need for public officials to focus on internal integrity and self-accountability, rather than shifting blame solely on the government.
“It’s easy to always blame the government, but individuals must also look inward. We need a system that checks even those in Establishments, because corruption thrives when there are no consequences or oversight,” he added.
Olukoyede urged the inductees to see their new roles as a call to serve the nation with conscience and a sense of duty, rather than an opportunity for self-enrichment.
“If you take these roles as business ventures or political compensation, you will compromise your agency’s mandate. Public office is a trust, and we are watching.”
The EFCC Chairman’s address added a striking layer of urgency to the ongoing induction programme, which has been organized to equip federal appointees with the tools, knowledge, and ethical foundation needed for effective governance in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
