Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday credited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with playing a key role in Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, saying the agency’s anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts have strengthened investor confidence and supported the country’s economic reforms.
Shettima made the remarks at the official commissioning of the EFCC’s new zonal office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where he also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening anti-corruption institutions through improved infrastructure, welfare, operational independence and training.
According to the Vice President, the EFCC has become a critical institution in both Nigeria’s economy and national security framework through its efforts to combat corruption, financial crimes, cybercrime and illicit financial flows.
“The commission’s efforts have also supported Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and strengthened confidence in our economic reforms, thereby improving the country’s investment outlook,” Shettima said.
The Vice President noted that corruption remains one of the greatest threats to public trust, national development and economic growth, stressing that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers the anti-corruption campaign a vital component of its governance agenda.
“Public institutions exist because we believe in the promise of a better society. When corruption is allowed to thrive, the trust between citizens and the promises of the state begins to erode,” he said.
Commending the leadership and personnel of the EFCC for what he described as their aggressive pursuit of the anti-corruption war, Shettima said the fight against corruption must be sustained through strong institutions, effective tools and dedicated personnel.
He assured the commission of continued government support, emphasizing that investing in the capacity and welfare of anti-corruption agencies is a national imperative.
“We will continue to invest in better working environments, competitive welfare packages, operational independence and adequate training opportunities,” he said.
The Vice President also highlighted some of the commission’s recent achievements, including its role in combating cybercrime.
He noted that the EFCC secured the conviction of 192 cybercrime offenders in a single operation, underscoring the agency’s growing importance in protecting the country’s financial system.
Shettima further disclosed that funds recovered through the commission’s asset recovery programme have been deployed to support critical social intervention initiatives, including the Federal Government’s student loan scheme and other development programmes.
According to him, the agency’s success in securing convictions in several high-profile corruption cases demonstrates that corruption and financial misconduct will not be tolerated in Nigeria.
He also urged the commission to intensify efforts to prevent money laundering and illicit financial flows, warning that criminal networks often rely on illegal financial channels to finance insecurity and other unlawful activities.
“The EFCC cannot win this fight alone. Other security and law enforcement agencies must continue to cooperate with the commission to ensure that it achieves its objectives,” he said.
