We’ll stem corruption from contract procurement processes- EFCC chair

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukayode, has announced that the agency is intensifying efforts to combat corruption at its roots to prevent its proliferation across departments, ministries, and agencies.

Olukayode made the statement during a statewide consultative meeting in Kano, held at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies (Mambayya House). The meeting, organised by the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), was themed: “Fostering Transparency, Accountability, and Citizen Participation in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria.

“We are now focusing on monitoring ministries, departments, and agencies, particularly their contracts and procurement processes,” Olukayode explained.

“We check whether these processes conform to legal provisions and whether there are any under-the-table deals. Most corruption stems from fraudulent contract and procurement practices. By sanitising these processes, we can improve project delivery and reduce corruption.”

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He elaborated that the EFCC is now involved from the moment funds are released, ensuring transparency throughout the contract process and monitoring project execution.

“While we cannot completely eradicate corruption in Nigeria, our goal is to clean up these processes to significantly reduce corruption and improve project outcomes,” he added.

Dr. Ibrahim Zikrullah, Executive Director of CHRICED, emphasised that corruption undermines every aspect of national life, eroding trust in public institutions, misdirecting development resources, and hindering meaningful progress.

“We must confront corruption head-on and promote a culture of transparency and accountability to ensure resources are used effectively for everyone’s benefit,” Zikrullah stated.

Professor Muhammad Sani Gumel, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of Bayero University, Kano, who chaired the event, noted the timeliness of the meeting amidst ongoing corruption challenges in the country. He commended the EFCC’s efforts and the relevance of the discussion in the fight against corruption.