Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), expressed astonishment at Nigeria’s resilience despite the staggering amounts of public funds stolen by corrupt individuals. He made these remarks while discussing the pervasive issue of corruption during a meeting with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. Olukoyede, the first southerner to lead the EFCC, lamented the extent of corruption revealed in case files, highlighting instances where budget allocations were illicitly transferred to private accounts.
According to Olukoyede, corruption remains a significant barrier to Nigeria’s development, emphasizing that if eliminated, the country could surpass many others globally. He criticized the impunity with which some public officials refuse accountability for their actions, stressing the need for transparency and accountability across both public and private sectors to combat corruption effectively.