The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to forging stronger partnerships with the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as part of a renewed strategy to tackle corruption, cyber-enabled fraud, and other financial crimes in Nigeria.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation workshop held at the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Acting Zonal Director, Sa’ad Hanafi, emphasized that the anti-corruption battle is a collective national mission that demands trust, shared intelligence, and cooperation among key stakeholders.
“Our fight against corruption is not a solo mission; it is a collective national endeavour that requires synergy, trust, and shared intelligence,” Olukoyede said.
He highlighted that the inclusion of journalists and CSOs in this strategic engagement was deliberate and vital, noting their role as watchdogs and agents of social change.
“CSOs serve as the conscience of society and a vital bridge between the government and the citizenry. Journalists, on the other hand, wield the powerful pen that holds power accountable and illuminates the dark corners where corruption often thrives. Together, they are indispensable allies in safeguarding our economy and collective future,” he added.
The workshop, themed “Building Collaborative Strategies Against Emerging Financial Crimes”, sought to deepen participants’ understanding of cryptocurrency fraud, cybercrime, and legal challenges in prosecuting complex financial offences.
According to Hanafi, the global landscape of financial crime is rapidly evolving, with fraudsters shifting from traditional schemes to sophisticated cyber-enabled methods. This shift, he said, underscores the importance of building a well-informed coalition that can effectively counter modern threats.
He also stressed that the EFCC’s partnership with media practitioners and CSOs would strengthen public enlightenment and promote preventive, citizen-driven mechanisms to curb corruption.
“The workshop aims to enhance understanding and foster partnerships in promoting transparency and accountability across Nigeria’s socio-economic framework,” he noted.
The event drew participants from the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel, Kano State Council, and several CSOs operating across the North-West.
Observers hailed the EFCC’s engagement as a timely move in reviving public trust in the anti-corruption fight.
Dr. Celestine Ukpong, an economist and public policy analyst based in Lagos, noted that collaboration with the media and civil groups is essential for credible oversight.
“Transparency thrives when institutions engage the media and civil society as partners rather than critics. EFCC’s move signals a progressive shift toward participatory governance and a more open anti-corruption model,” Ukpong said.
Earlier in the week, the EFCC also strengthened its partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to fight money laundering, smuggling, and related financial crimes — a move analysts described as a major consolidation of inter-agency coordination in Nigeria’s anti-graft war.
With growing concerns about digital financial crimes, the EFCC’s latest initiative reaffirms its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economy through intelligence-led investigations, stakeholder engagement, and institutional synergy.
The EFCC has pledged stronger partnerships with media and Civil Society Organisations to combat corruption, cyber-enabled fraud, and financial crimes, reaffirming its collaborative strategy for transparency and accountability in Nigeria.
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