The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has identified public sector corruption as Nigeria’s greatest challenge, revealing that procurement and contract fraud account for 90% of corruption cases in the country.
Olukoyede made this statement on Friday, January 17, 2025, during a meeting with the newly-appointed Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, and his management team at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
“At the EFCC, we handle both private and public sector fraud,” Olukoyede said. “In the public sector, which remains one of Nigeria’s major challenges, we have discovered that contract and procurement fraud make up more than 90% of all public sector corruption cases. These include practices such as commingling, contract splitting, and various other fraudulent schemes. Infrastructure deficits and developmental setbacks are largely attributable to these issues. It lies with you and me to make a change. Together, we can leave this country better than we met it.”
The EFCC chairman also emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between the EFCC and the BPP, particularly in project implementation and monitoring, to curb procurement fraud.
“I admire the new spirit you have brought into the BPP,” Olukoyede said to Adedokun. “We will work together to ensure the 2025 budget is implemented transparently and efficiently. There is no hiding place for the BPP or the EFCC in this fight against corruption.”
In his response, Dr. Adedokun assured the EFCC and Nigerians of his commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and transparency within the BPP. He described his visit as a step toward building trust and cooperation between the two institutions.
“We are here to reassure the EFCC and the 220 million Nigerians we serve that procurement under our leadership will be transparent and trustworthy,” Adedokun said. “Our goal is to ensure that every document we produce is credible and supports the EFCC’s work in investigating fraud-related cases. It is no longer business as usual. We have started a mission for a rebirth.”
Adedokun also emphasized his dedication to using procurement as a tool for promoting good governance.
“Procurement must deliver value to Nigerians,” he stated. “Every kobo spent on goods, works, or services will be accounted for. Mistakes may have been made in the past, but we are now committed to a new direction that prioritizes integrity and accountability.”
The meeting highlighted a shared commitment between the EFCC and BPP to combat public sector corruption and ensure that government projects deliver maximum value to Nigerians.
