The Govt Chairman of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has recognized public sector corruption, notably procurement and contract fraud, as Nigeria’s most urgent situation accounting for over 90 per cent of the nation’s corruption and fraud circumstances.
Olukoyede disclosed this throughout a gathering on Friday, January 17, 2025, with a delegation from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), led by its newly-appointed Director Common, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun.
The assembly occurred on the EFCC’s company headquarters.
“Within the EFCC, we deal with each personal and public sector fraud. And in relation to the general public sector, which is one in every of our main issues in Nigeria, we found that contract and procurement fraud takes greater than 90 per cent of the quantity of public sector fraud,” Olukoyede said.
He additional defined that fraud manifests in varied varieties, comparable to commingling, contract splitting, and different unethical practices.
“Infrastructure-wise and all different developmental issues are attributable to contract and procurement fraud. It lies with you and with me to make a change. If we are able to work collectively, we can go away this nation higher than we met it,” he said.
He emphasised the necessity for collective efforts to fight corruption.
Olukoyede additionally careworn the significance of collaboration between the EFCC and BPP, notably in undertaking implementation and monitoring.
He expressed optimism concerning the BPP’s new management and the potential for stronger cooperation.
“So, I like your dedication, the brand new spirit you’ve introduced into the company. We’re going to work collectively. We’re going to collaborate for the sake of this nation and for us to make sure that the 2025 price range is nicely applied and executed. There isn’t a hiding place for BPP. And there’s no hiding from the EFCC. That’s the reality,” Olukoyede remarked.
Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the brand new Director Common of the Bureau of Public Procurement, outlined the Bureau’s dedication to reforming the procurement course of in Nigeria.
He assured the EFCC and Nigerians that the BPP, below his management, was embarking on a mission of rebirth.
“We’re right here to reassure you and your staff that we’re dedicated to creating your job simpler. We’re right here to reassure the 220 million Nigerians that they will fall asleep in relation to how procurement is being finished. We wish to see that the EFCC can belief our paperwork with out having to doubt,” Adedokun said.
Adedokun emphasised the BPP’s dedication to transparency, assuring that they’re working to supply reliable paperwork for decision-making and fraud investigations.
“Paperwork that you would be able to belief in your decision-making, in your investigation about fraud-related points and procurement. We’re right here as a result of we wish to be open by way of what we do and the way we do it. We wish to give Nigerians the reassurance that it’s not enterprise as typical. And we have now began.”
Adedokun additionally expressed his imaginative and prescient for utilizing procurement as a instrument for good governance in Nigeria.
He emphasised the significance of making certain that each expenditure on items, works, and providers is correctly accounted for.