Global Integrity Watch has sought a partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to strengthen public accountability, while commending the anti-corruption efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The international civil society organisation also praised EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, citing reported convictions and asset recoveries under his leadership, but stressed the need for transparency, fairness and respect for the rule of law.
GIW made its position known during an Integrity March to the EFCC, where it called for sustained efforts to protect public funds and strengthen accountability across government institutions.
Addressing youths during the march, the organisation’s Country Representative, Comrade Eneji Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of its Executive Director, Comrade Abraham Temitayo Adewoye, said anti-corruption achievements must be matched with proper documentation and accountability.
According to GIW, the EFCC reported securing 7,503 convictions and recovering approximately ₦566.32bn, alongside foreign currencies and 1,502 non-monetary assets, between October 2023 and September 2025.
The organisation also cited a stewardship briefing published by the EFCC chairman’s office in August 2026, which reportedly put the commission’s convictions at 10,872 between October 2023 and July 2026.
The briefing further reported recoveries of approximately ₦1.234tn and $684.48m between October 2023 and June 2026.
Mohammed, however, said recognition of the commission’s achievements should not diminish the need for continued scrutiny of its activities.
“GIW recognises the anti-corruption efforts reported under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the EFCC leadership. Public recognition should go hand in hand with continued scrutiny, accountability and respect for the rights of all persons,” he said.
He added, “Progress is strongest when results are documented, recovered assets are properly accounted for, and investigations and prosecutions follow the law.”
Mohammed said the proposed partnership followed discussions at a meeting in London, United Kingdom, on how GIW could contribute to strengthening public accountability in Nigeria.
He said any collaboration would depend on the EFCC’s agreement and respect for the independence of both organisations.
Explaining its approach, Mohammed said GIW promotes accountability through lawful Freedom of Information requests, reviews of published audit reports and official documents, and requests for clarification from public agencies over questioned expenditure, procurement decisions and incomplete records.
He said unresolved concerns could be pursued through public advocacy, media engagement or referrals to appropriate authorities.
“Our work is not a personal attack on any public official or institution. It is a public-interest effort to strengthen governance, improve transparency and support a Nigeria in which public funds are managed responsibly,” he said.
Mohammed stressed that audit observations should be treated as issues requiring clarification rather than conclusive evidence of wrongdoing.
He also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to evidence-based reporting, the presumption of innocence, fair processes and the right of institutions to respond to allegations.
Through its New Nigeria Public Accountability Initiative, GIW said it planned to promote transparency, encourage responsible reporting of suspected wrongdoing and strengthen accountability standards across public institutions.
The organisation clarified that the initiative was not intended to replace law enforcement agencies or prejudge allegations, but to complement existing accountability mechanisms through civic engagement, public education, documentary evidence and dialogue.
GIW also urged whistleblowers and citizens with credible information about suspected corruption to preserve relevant records and report their concerns through lawful channels.
It called on public institutions to maintain reliable financial records, comply with disclosure requirements and respond to lawful Freedom of Information requests.
Responding, the EFCC chairman, Olukoyede, represented by the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, commended GIW for publicly acknowledging the agency’s anti-corruption efforts.
Oyewale urged other stakeholders to emulate the organisation by recognising the commission’s work and supporting collective efforts to tackle corruption.
He said Olukoyede had been working to build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria through the enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
“We want stakeholders across the country to come forward in the same way to appreciate what the commission is doing,” Oyewale said.
He added, “The Executive Chairman, Mr Olukoyede, is a Nigerian who has been making passionate efforts to engineer a newer, better, stronger and richer Nigeria by applying the instrumentality of anti-corruption laws.
“Every single thing that has been said here will be communicated to the Executive Chairman. I can assure you that, by the grace of God, the commission will continue on this winning streak to ensure that we all benefit from the dividends of the fight against corruption.”
Oyewale cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the Credit Corporation of Nigeria as examples of initiatives he said reflected efforts to strengthen institutions and address corruption-related challenges.
He described corruption as a major obstacle to national development and called on citizens and stakeholders to support the commission’s efforts.
The EFCC spokesperson assured GIW that its message would be conveyed to the chairman and the commission’s management and staff.
GIW reiterated that sustained progress in the fight against corruption required institutional independence, transparency, evidence-based accountability and equal application of the law.
The organisation said protecting public resources remained a collective responsibility, stressing that public funds belonged to Nigerians and must be managed in their interest.
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