Vice President says EFCC reforms strengthened Nigeria’s global financial credibility as FG commissions new zonal office in Ekiti.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has 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 improved investor confidence and strengthened the country’s economic outlook.
Shettima made the remarks on Tuesday during the 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 packages, operational independence, and capacity building.
According to him, the EFCC has become a central institution in Nigeria’s economic and national security framework through its sustained fight against corruption, financial crimes, cybercrime, and illicit financial flows.
“The Commission’s efforts have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and strengthened confidence in our economic reforms,” Shettima said, adding that corruption remains one of the biggest threats to national development and public trust.
He stressed that the Tinubu administration considers the anti-corruption campaign a core governance priority, while commending the EFCC for its ongoing efforts in tackling financial crimes and securing convictions, including 192 cybercrime offenders in a single operation.
Shettima also disclosed that recovered assets by the Commission have been channeled into national development initiatives, including the Federal Government’s Student Loan Scheme, noting that such recoveries demonstrate the impact of the agency’s work.
He urged the EFCC to intensify efforts against money laundering and illicit financial flows, warning that criminal networks often rely on such systems to fund insecurity and other illegal activities. He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to enhance the Commission’s effectiveness.
In his remarks, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji described the new EFCC zonal office as a major step toward improving access to justice and strengthening anti-corruption enforcement in Ekiti and neighbouring states, noting that residents had previously faced difficulties accessing EFCC services due to distance.
The governor said the state government supported the project with critical infrastructure, including a standby power generator, to ensure smooth operations of the facility.