Opinion
EFCC, CCC and the Battle Against Corruption in Nigeria
By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi,
Corruption has long been a major impediment to Nigeria’s socio-economic progress, eroding public confidence in institutions and hindering national development. Due to the heterogeneous nature of Nigerian society, the fight against corruption has been a complex and multifaceted challenge.
It requires not only robust investigative and legal frameworks but also effective communication strategies to foster public understanding, build trust, and encourage citizen participation. Recognizing this, the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) recently paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit, led by CCC Chairman, Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), underscored the Centre’s commitment to fostering collaboration with the EFCC, particularly in the area of strategic crisis communication. The CCC Chairman expressed solidarity with the agency’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability across the public system.
He commended the EFCC for its significant achievements in uncovering high-profile corruption cases, emphasizing the agency’s dedication to ridding Nigeria of financial crimes. Meanwhile, crisis communication remains a critical tool in shaping public perception and ensuring that institutions maintain transparency, accountability, and trust.
Unfortunately, despite its commendable efforts in tackling financial crimes, the EFCC often finds itself at the receiving end of misinformation, misrepresentation, and deliberate attempts to discredit its operations.
Major General Olukolade acknowledged this challenge, stating that CCC’s doors remain open for collaboration in public sensitization campaigns. He emphasized that effective strategic communication can help correct false narratives, counter media trials, and promote public understanding of the EFCC’s mandate and achievements.
Additionally, proactive public enlightenment and perception management will strengthen the EFCC’s credibility and effectiveness in the fight against corruption. The EFCC’s recent successes—including the historic arrest of 792 cybercrime syndicate members, among them foreigners, in Lagos, and the seizure of 753 duplex units linked to corrupt individuals who had looted public funds—are testaments to the agency’s relentless commitment to justice.
However, these milestones often get overshadowed by misinformation, reducing public support for the EFCC’s mission. One of the key concerns raised by EFCC Chairman Mr. Olukoyede was the growing trend of public sympathy for corrupt individuals, often manifesting in protests against their prosecution.
He lamented that rather than commending the EFCC’s efforts, segments of society choose to align with those facing corruption charges. This misalignment is largely fueled by inadequate public enlightenment, media misrepresentation, and targeted propaganda by corrupt individuals seeking to evade justice.
It is evident that some mischief-makers exploit loopholes in communication to tarnish the agency’s image, making strategic advocacy and awareness campaigns more crucial than ever. The EFCC’s intelligence-driven operations, which require discretion and sometimes limit the immediate release of details to the public, are often misinterpreted. This underscores the need for strategic communication to explain the agency’s methods and achievements effectively.
A partnership between the CCC and EFCC can bridge this gap. Through joint initiatives, both institutions can work toward reshaping public discourse around corruption, reinforcing the message that financial crimes are detrimental to national growth, and urging Nigerians to support—rather than obstruct—the EFCC’s efforts.
Beyond enforcement, the EFCC is now focusing on preventive measures to curb financial misappropriation before it escalates into complex legal battles. By adopting intelligence-driven strategies, the agency seeks to tackle corruption at its roots, reducing the burden of prolonged court proceedings.
Mr. Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to leveraging advocacy, sensitization, and public engagement to complement its enforcement mechanisms. The collaboration with CCC will help drive this agenda by crafting compelling narratives, organizing public awareness campaigns, and equipping Nigerians with the right information to actively support the anti-corruption fight.
The EFCC’s battle against corruption is not just a fight for the agency; it is a fight for Nigeria’s future, in which every citizen is expected to contribute their share of efforts toward achieving this mandate. Fighting corruption is everybody’s business, not the EFCC’s alone. Nevertheless, with the CCC stepping in to amplify the commission’s efforts through strategic communication, there is renewed hope for fostering a corruption-intolerant society.
By leveraging media engagement, grassroots advocacy, and digital campaigns, the CCC and EFCC can work together to counter false narratives, highlight success stories, and reinforce the message that corruption is an enemy of national progress.
This partnership is not just about strengthening the EFCC’s image; it is about reinforcing a national culture of integrity, where transparency and accountability become the cornerstones of governance and public service. As the collaboration unfolds, all stakeholders—including the media, civil society organizations, and the general public—must rally behind this cause, ensuring that the fight against corruption remains unwavering and successful.
MUKHTAR is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC). He wrote via: ymukhtar944@gmail.com
Your Excellency,
Governor Seyi Abiodun Makinde,
Governor of Oyo State, Nigeria.
Dear Governor Makinde,
I write to you not out of political bias or personal grievance, but as a concerned citizen, a voter, and a stakeholder in the future of Oyo State. This letter is not to attack but to appeal. It is a call to action, driven by a deep sense of urgency and a sincere desire to see our state live up to its full potential—starting with the health of its people.
Sir, it is no secret that our healthcare system is in crisis. From Ibadan to the smallest towns and villages across the state, state-owned hospitals and clinics are falling apart. Many are under-equipped, understaffed, and in some cases, completely non-functional. If Ibadan, the capital city, is struggling with basic medical services, we can only imagine the situation in remote areas.
Our people are suffering. Pregnant women are left without proper care. Children die from preventable illnesses. Patients are turned away due to lack of drugs, equipment, or medical personnel. And yet, there appears to be silence from the leadership entrusted to fix these problems.
Governor Makinde, you are often referred to as a “people’s governor,” but true leadership is measured not in titles, but in impact. The healthcare system in Oyo State has not improved in any tangible way under your administration. In fact, it seems to have worsened. This is deeply disappointing.
It is even more troubling that the current Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, appears to be absent in this crisis. Primary healthcare centers remain severely understaffed. The maternal mortality rate is still unacceptably high. Quack practitioners operate freely. Promises of upgrades and reforms have yielded little to no real change. The people are still waiting.
Sir, this is a matter of life and death. Oyo State’s population should be a blessing, not a burden on a broken system. Yet, our hospitals remain shadows of what they should be. Good healthcare is not a luxury. It is a basic right. And it is the responsibility of any government that claims to serve the people.
As we look toward future elections, I urge you to reflect on the legacy you will leave behind. Will you be remembered as the leader who built stadiums while hospitals decayed? Or as the governor who took bold action when it mattered most?
Governor Makinde, I humbly ask you to prioritize the health of the people over politics and publicity. Restore our healthcare system. Equip our hospitals. Hire more qualified medical personnel. Hold your health ministry accountable.
Oyo State deserves better.
We, the people, deserve better.
Yours sincerely,
Faleye Oluwatosin Simon
Concerned Citizen & Advocate for Good Governance
Nigeria
The jailbreak at the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi State on Monday, March 24, 2025, has once again highlighted the security challenges facing Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
The incident, which resulted in the escape of 12 inmates after tampering with padlocks in a section of the facility, also led to the death of a correctional officer. This marks the sixth jailbreak at Koton Karfe since 2012, with a similar incident in 2016 seeing 13 inmates escape, none of whom have been rearrested.
Security experts have repeatedly pointed to infrastructure deficits, overcrowding, prolonged trials, and poor remuneration of correctional staff as major factors contributing to frequent prison breaks.
As of March 25, 2025, statistics from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) indicate that 79,669 inmates are housed in the country’s custodial centres. Of these, 26,898 are convicted prisoners, while 52,771—amounting to 66%—are awaiting trial. The Koton Karfe facility, built in 1934 and re-commissioned in 2015 with a capacity for 320 inmates, faces severe overcrowding, compounding security risks.
The delays in Nigeria’s judicial process have led to an overwhelming number of awaiting trial inmates, increasing pressure on correctional centres and contributing to recurring jailbreaks. Experts argue that tackling prison congestion is key to addressing security breaches.
Calls have grown for the Federal Government to enhance security measures in correctional facilities. Suggestions include increased investment in surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and additional security personnel. The recent deployment of five Bullet Resistant Guard-Booth vehicles to select custodial centres in Abuja, Kuje, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos is a step in the right direction. However, security analysts advocate extending such measures to vulnerable facilities like Koton Karfe.
The NCS has ordered a comprehensive audit of the facility to identify and address security lapses. Transparency in the findings and accountability for any lapses will be crucial in restoring public confidence.
Additionally, state governments and private sector stakeholders have been urged to support prison upgrades to strengthen the overall security of correctional centres and, by extension, the safety of the larger community.
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) gears up for its crucial April 5 governorship primary in Anambra State, the political stakes have never been higher. The party sees this election as an opportunity to solidify its presence in the South-East and showcase its commitment to governance with credibility and competence.
The upcoming Anambra governorship election in November 2025 is significant as the last off-cycle gubernatorial poll before the 2027 general elections. It serves as a test of the APC’s progress in the South-East and its ability to provide leadership beyond its traditional strongholds. Against this backdrop, stakeholders within the party are advocating for a candidate with broad appeal and strategic value—one name that has gained momentum is Valentine Ozigbo.
Ozigbo, a former corporate leader and philanthropist, has been identified as a formidable contender. Having previously contested the 2021 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he finished as the runner-up, Ozigbo has remained active in Anambra’s political discourse. His recent defection to the APC is seen as a potential game-changer, with supporters arguing that he brings credibility, political structure, and a unifying influence.
Despite speculation that Ozigbo may be a mole for the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, his backers dismiss the claims, asserting that his political ambition is independent and aligned with APC’s vision for Anambra. They argue that his candidacy does not translate into electoral gains for Obi in 2027.
Ozigbo’s credentials span both corporate and public service. As the former Managing Director of Transcorp Hilton Abuja and later Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, he led significant economic initiatives, including a $100 million hotel renovation. Beyond business, he has invested in youth empowerment through the VCO Foundation, sponsoring 100 Anambra youths in software engineering.
His political strength lies in his grassroots appeal, cross-party connections, and reputation as a bridge-builder. A confidential APC evaluation reportedly ranks him highest among the party’s aspirants, scoring 74% in key areas such as zoning, religious alignment, and public acceptability.
With Anambra’s political landscape deeply influenced by party loyalty, regional interests, and governance expectations, Ozigbo’s backers argue that his candidacy presents the APC with its best chance of securing victory. They contend that his leadership transcends political affiliations and embodies a results-driven approach, which resonates with voters.
As the APC primary approaches, the party faces a critical choice: selecting a candidate who can merely win the primary or one capable of securing the governorship. For many within the party, that choice is clear—Valentine Ozigbo.
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