As part of efforts to strengthen regional action against cross-border financial crimes, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called for deeper collaboration among West African nations to promote peace, stability, and economic growth across the subregion.
Olukoyede, who also serves as President of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), made the call at the 7th Annual General Assembly of the network held in Abuja on Wednesday.
He urged member states to renew their “vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to combating corruption,” describing it as a major obstacle to regional development. He also disclosed that NACIWA had proposed formal recognition as a Technical Commission under ECOWAS Protocol Article 19, to institutionalise cooperation on investigations, asset recovery, and anti-corruption policy alignment.
Olukoyede highlighted key achievements since 2022, including the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Nigeria, standardised membership dues, strengthened partnerships with ECOWAS, UNODC, and the AU Anti-Corruption Board, and observer status at the GlobE Network. He added that the EFCC Academy had been designated a Centre of Excellence for capacity development.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende, said corruption’s trans-border nature demands “strong regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint asset recovery.” He assured that the legislature would continue to support relevant legal frameworks for international collaboration.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, emphasised that “corruption does not respect borders,” while ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray, represented by Vice President Damtien Tchintchibidja, commended the EFCC’s leadership for revitalising NACIWA’s role in fostering regional synergy.
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