Olukoyede tasks EFCC staff on integrity at 2025 recognition, reward ceremony

Stanley Ihedigbo

Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged officers and men of the Commission to uphold integrity as the bedrock of credibility and relevance in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

He gave the charge on Saturday, at the 2025 Recognition and Reward Ceremony of the Commission, where outstanding officers were honoured for exemplary performance in the discharge of their duties.

Reiterating his insistence on integrity as the driving force of institutional credibility, Olukoyede stressed that the EFCC could only sustain its reputation as Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency if it maintained a high rating on the integrity scale.

“Let me say for the umpteenth time that, as operatives of the EFCC, we are as strong as our integrity and as weak as our compromises. Integrity is the only currency of acceptance in every clime. If we want to remain relevant as the nation’s foremost anti-corruption agency, we must sustain and improve on our integrity. This is the most important charge I’m leaving with you all today,” he said.

The EFCC boss expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving the Commission throughout the 2025 operational year, noting that despite numerous challenges, the agency recorded remarkable progress in the execution of its mandate.

Commending officers for their resilience and dedication, he urged them to take pride in the collective achievements recorded during the year.

“I think we need to give ourselves a pat on the back for sailing through the year successfully and remarkably,” he said.
Describing the Commission’s mandate as a critical pillar of nation-building,

Olukoyede likened EFCC operatives to “guardian angels safeguarding the economy against pillage, leakages, sabotage and other infractions.”

He stressed that the enormous responsibility entrusted to the Commission made trust a sterling virtue that must be upheld at all times.

“Trust is the biggest burden of life. The nation is looking up to us to uphold the huge trust and confidence reposed in us,” he said.

Highlighting the Commission’s performance in 2025, the EFCC Chairman disclosed that recoveries and convictions recorded during the year were impressive, adding that the agency made steady progress across multiple operational fronts.

“From every indication, we did quite well in 2025. Our recoveries are impressive as well as our convictions. We are progressing on all fronts,” he noted.
However, he cautioned against complacency, stressing that success should be viewed as a continuous journey rather than a destination.

“Although all the performance indicators are rich, we have a responsibility to do better. Where we are is only a journey; where we are going is the only success point,” he said.

Speaking on the essence of the Recognition and Reward Ceremony, Olukoyede said the initiative was designed to celebrate excellence, dedication and commitment to duty, while motivating officers to continually give their best.

“Every staff of the Commission is important and every work we do individually and collectively is also important. However, exemplary performance ought to be appreciated and this is what we are here to do today,” he said.

He urged award recipients to see the honour as a call to greater service, while encouraging other officers to remain steadfast and committed to excellence.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Organising Committee and Commander of the EFCC, CE Femi Peter Gbarufu, explained that the ceremony was organised to celebrate officers who distinguished themselves through commitment, diligence, perseverance, innovation and outstanding performance in their assigned responsibilities.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Staff of the Year Award, which was won by Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Bilkisu Buhari Bala.

Also honoured were 24 officers selected as Best Staff across various departments of the Commission. Among the awardees were Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Monday Ocholi Attah, Best Staff in the Office of the Executive Chairman; Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Martha Ojochokutami Eche, Best Staff in the Public Affairs Department; Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I Patience Saba Peter, Best Staff in the Finance and Accounts Department; Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I Yusuf Awang Mangut, Best Staff in Administration and Human Resources; Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Abiodun Adebanjo, Best Staff in Planning, Policy, Research and Statistics; Inspector of the EFCC, IE I Shehu Muhammad Auwal; and Detective Assistant, DA II Zaharadeen Yakubu Adamu, Best Staff in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission, among others.

The ceremony also recognised prosecutors with the highest number of convictions, sections with the highest convictions and recoveries, as well as officers who have served the Commission for 20 years and above through Long Service Awards.