Anti-Graft Reforms Earn Olukoyede Public Servant of the Year Honour

The Nation newspaper has named the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, as Public Servant of the Year 2025, in recognition of what it described as an exceptional performance marked by institutional reform, measurable results, and renewed credibility in Nigeria’s anti-corruption war.

According to the publication, Olukoyede’s stewardship of the EFCC has demonstrated a clear sense of duty and a firm grasp of the demands of public office, particularly the imperative of restoring public confidence in an agency whose effectiveness depends largely on its credibility.

Olukoyede, 56, assumed office in October 2023 following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu for a renewable four-year term.

At the time, the Presidency described the assignment as a critical component of a “newly invigorated war on corruption.” Barely months into his tenure, the EFCC signalled a new direction with an unprecedented internal clean-up.

In a dramatic move early in 2024, the commission announced the dismissal of 27 officers for fraud and misconduct.

The action drew national attention, with the advocacy group Journalists Against Corruption noting that it was the first time since the EFCC’s establishment in 2002 that such a large number of staff were dismissed “in one fell swoop” for internal malfeasance.

Before his appointment, Olukoyede had built over two decades of experience as a lawyer, regulatory compliance consultant, and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence.

He was no stranger to the EFCC, having served as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman between 2016 and 2018, and later as Secretary to the Commission from 2018 to 2023.

The Nation noted that this institutional memory and technical grounding positioned him to drive reforms from within.

Those expectations, the newspaper said, have been largely met, as reflected in the EFCC’s mid-term report covering October 2023 to September 2025.

Released in October, the report detailed extensive recoveries, convictions, high-profile prosecutions, and far-reaching institutional reforms.

Within the period under review, the commission recovered over N566.3 billion, $411.5 million, £71,306, and €182,877. It also secured the final forfeiture of 1,502 real estate assets, including a massive estate of 753 duplexes in Abuja and Nok University, which has since been converted to a federal university.

The EFCC recorded 7,503 convictions and filed 10,525 cases in court from more than 19,000 petitions received and over 29,000 cases investigated nationwide.

The commission’s crackdown on currency racketeering, naira abuse, and cryptocurrency fraud was identified as a key factor in easing pressure on the national currency, complementing the stabilisation efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In addition, N100 billion from recovered funds was channelled into the Federal Government’s Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme.

Public interest in the EFCC’s work also surged following the revival and prosecution of several long-standing, high-profile cases involving prominent Nigerians. These include former governors Willie Obiano, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Darius Ishaku, Theodore Orji, Yahaya Bello, as well as former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.

An investigative report published in October 2023 had earlier revealed that Olukoyede inherited no fewer than 25 high-profile corruption cases involving former governors, ministers, and senators, with alleged losses estimated at N772.2 billion and $2.2 billion through money laundering, diversion, and misappropriation.

Beyond prosecutions, The Nation highlighted the internal reforms introduced to address long-standing concerns about the EFCC’s systems. Under Olukoyede, an additional 55 staff were dismissed for misconduct, while new directorates were created for Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, Digital Transformation and Innovation, and International Asset Tracing and Recovery.

The EFCC also deepened collaboration with international law enforcement bodies such as the FBI, the UK National Crime Agency, and INTERPOL, leading to improved offshore asset recovery. In a bid to strengthen public engagement and awareness, the commission launched EFCC Radio 97.3 FM, dedicated to anti-corruption advocacy and integrity promotion.

The Nation noted that Olukoyede did not shy away from confronting the EFCC’s image problem. He publicly acknowledged adverse public perceptions about the conduct of some investigators and warned that the “craze and quest for gratification, bribes and other compromises” within the commission were unacceptable. He stressed that the EFCC’s image was “too important” to be jeopardised by corrupt officers.

President Tinubu has also publicly commended Olukoyede’s performance. In a congratulatory message on his birthday, October 14, the President praised his professionalism and courage, saying he had reinforced the EFCC’s mission to rid Nigeria of economic and financial crimes while advancing transparency and institutional reform.

While concerns about political interference in the commission’s operations persist, Olukoyede has consistently denied allegations of political targeting, insisting that the EFCC operates without bias and in strict adherence to the rule of law. He has maintained that prosecution statistics show cases involving members of both the ruling party and the opposition.

The Nation concluded that the EFCC’s mid-term performance under Olukoyede provides a strong foundation for further institutional reinvigoration and aligns with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Under his leadership, the paper said, the commission has exhibited a renewed sense of responsibility that is both self-reforming and forward-looking.

In naming him Public Servant of the Year 2025, The Nation said Olanipekun Olukoyede exemplifies principled public service and has set a benchmark for institutional governance in Nigeria’s anti-corruption landscape.