By Wilfred Francis
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has commended the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for prioritising anti-corruption and illicit financial flows in its Nigeria Country Programme for 2026–2030.
Olukoyede spoke in Abuja during the launch of the programme, according to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale. He described corruption as a major threat to national development, noting that tackling illicit financial flows is critical to reducing economic losses and strengthening governance.
He added that evolving threats such as transnational crime, terrorism and cyber-enabled offences require coordinated responses and stronger international cooperation. “The programme’s focus on combating corruption and illicit financial flows is significant,” Olukoyede said, emphasising the need for sustained action and institutional capacity building.
He also highlighted the long-standing collaboration between the EFCC and UNODC, expressing confidence that the new programme would support inter-agency coordination and data-driven approaches to tackling organised crime.
UNODC officials said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s strategic importance as Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, with potential to drive regional progress. The launch brought together stakeholders from the judiciary and key agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police Force, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
