Represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, the President said the opening ceremony “represents a critical breakthrough in our war against corruption—a vice justly condemned as the primary obstacle to our economic advancement and national growth.”

We must check public corruption, make national wealth serve the people—President Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has said corruption by government officials must be checked for public wealth to serve all Nigerians and not a privileged few.

The President restated his administration’s commitment to creating and strengthening institutional frameworks that prevent and punish graft and other financial crimes.

President Tinubu stated this while inaugurating the Awka Zonal Directorate Office Complex of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Anambra State on Friday.

Represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, the President said the opening ceremony “represents a critical breakthrough in our war against corruption—a vice justly condemned as the primary obstacle to our economic advancement and national growth.”

He said, “For too long, the greed of unpatriotic officials has drained public coffers, crippling our capacity to mobilize national resources for the public good. We must reverse this trend to ensure our wealth serves every citizen, not a privileged few.”

President Tinubu noted that in the last three years of his administration, “we have strived to reverse this trend by strengthening the anti-corruption frameworks and bolstering the institutional capacity of the anti-corruption agencies to deliver on their mandates.”

He added, “I dare say that the edifice we are about to commission today is a testament to the determination to ensure that the wheel of anti-corruption not only grinds surely, but also touches every section of our society.”

While pointing out that the establishment of the Awka Zonal Directorate marks a strategic milestone for the people of Anambra and Imo states, the President noted that it brings the EFCC into proximity to the region’s key economic engines.

“From the vibrant industrial hubs of Onitsha and Nnewi to the vital oil and gas sectors in Ohaji-Egbema and the rapidly growing tourism industry in Owerri, businesses can now operate with the assurance of ethical oversight and anti-corruption safeguards—both of which are critical to enhancing the ease of doing business.

“Ultimately, this local enforcement mandate ensures that public resources are protected, driving transparent governance and delivering tangible value to ordinary citizens,” he said.

President Tinubu commended the leadership of the EFCC under Mr. Ola Olukoyede “for this laudable initiative,” which he said is “in accord with the Renewed Hope Agenda of my administration.”

He said, “When we came into office three years ago, I highlighted nine major focal areas of my administration, two of which are reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth and promotion of good governance.

“Both objectives would remain a mirage without the requisite institutional support, including a virile justice and accountability framework. The anti-graft agencies complement this agenda, as their focus on accountability and transparency ensures systems integrity and appropriate deployment of resources.

“As a government, we are determined to provide the necessary environment for the fight against corruption to succeed. This edifice is a part of the intentional efforts of my administration in strengthening the capacity of the EFCC.”

While stating that supporting the EFCC is not particularly difficult, the President noted that the agency has consistently demonstrated that the confidence reposed in it is well founded. “Without mincing words, the evidential proof of the EFCC’s success speaks loudly in convictions secured, assets, and property recovered,” he said.

President Tinubu recalled that recently, the EFCC announced that it secured 10,872 convictions and recovered N1.233 trillion; $684,478,457; £373,905.78; and €9,343,803 from October 2023 to July 2026.

“The funds, I understand, were recovered on behalf of the Federal Government, the sub-nationals, corporations, and individuals. However, the import of the data lies in its transformational impact. The portion available to the government adds fiscal value by easing the pressures for revenue mobilisation without necessarily imposing additional tax burden on the citizens,” he said.

Additionally, President Tinubu noted the investment of the proceeds of crime in critical social intervention programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corp (CREDICORP), which ensures more youth are afforded hassle-free tertiary education, while public service employees can now acquire critical assets and pay over a length of time.

He said, “Furthermore, Nigeria’s economic resurgence and improved investment outlook owe much to the Commission’s decisive actions, which culminated in the country’s removal from the FATF Grey List in October 2025.

“The EFCC’s aggressive enforcement operations served as the ultimate proof of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing effectiveness. This achievement has fortified the nation’s financial security and reignited international trust in our economic potential.

“To sustain this momentum, we must commit to strategic investments that strengthen the Commission and allied anti-corruption agencies. Nigeria’s true potential will remain out of reach until we decisively dismantle the architecture of corruption. This transformation begins at the grassroots, through heightened public consciousness and unwavering support for our anti-graft institutions.”

The President called on all Nigerians to “take ownership of this collective crusade,” stressing that restoring transparency, accountability, and due process across all sectors of governance demands the active cooperation of every citizen.”