The Secretary-General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), Kevin Casas Zamora, has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, for what he described as strong leadership and guidance in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.
Zamora gave the commendation in Abuja on Thursday during a visit to the EFCC headquarters alongside top executives of the Institute.
According to him, the collaboration between IDEA and the EFCC has focused on capacity building, programme execution and the development of anti-corruption strategies beneficial to both organisations.
“It is important to highlight that the work we are doing in Nigeria is opening new pathways for us to work on anti-corruption and helping the cause of people around the world that are struggling against corruption. Your work is helping them, through us. One of my main aims of having this conversation is to identify ways to sustain those gains, to expand our work here and to make sure that there is continuity on what is being done,” Zamora said.
He further disclosed that one of the areas being considered for deeper collaboration between IDEA and the EFCC is the regulation of political finance.
A member of the delegation, Danladi Plang, also praised the Commission for its prosecution and conviction of politically exposed persons, noting that the EFCC was sending a strong message that impunity was no longer acceptable in Nigeria.
“The EFCC is showing the world that impunity is over in Nigeria,” he stated.
Responding, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede expressed appreciation for the visit and described IDEA as a longstanding pillar of support for the Commission.
According to him, the anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC requires strategic collaboration and synergy with organisations of like minds.
He disclosed that one of the first steps he took upon assuming office was to identify international and local partners that could support the Commission’s operations and reforms.
“Upon my assumption of office, we sat down and drew up programmes. In October 2024, when we were trying to see how we can change the narrative of cybercrime and the involvement of our youths in cybercrime, we reached out to IDEA and we got very good support,” he said.
Olukoyede explained that IDEA supported the establishment of the EFCC’s Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre, which was launched by the First Lady of Nigeria and is nearing completion.
“We were able to launch the establishment of our Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre, launched by the First Lady of Nigeria. It got funded by IDEA, which we have almost completed now. We have also done a lot of capacity building programmes, which were funded by your organisation as well,” he added.
The EFCC chairman also highlighted support received from IDEA for programmes organised through the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA).
While noting that the Commission had recorded significant achievements in convictions and asset recoveries in the past two years, Olukoyede stated that the EFCC was now placing greater emphasis on prevention.
According to him, preventive measures are more cost-effective and impactful in tackling corruption, economic crimes and financial fraud in Nigeria.
The visit, according to officials, was aimed at updating the EFCC chairman on achievements recorded under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme and exploring additional areas of collaboration between both organisations.
Zamora specifically acknowledged the role played by Olukoyede during the implementation of critical components of the RoLAC programme.
“It has been a guidance and leadership that has demonstrated the ability to deliver concrete results, not just for the projects but for Nigerians and that is something that we are very happy about,” he said.
