Olukoyede Retains Top West African Anti-Graft Role

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has been re-elected as President of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA).

His re-election was announced at the end of the Network’s 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) held in Abuja on Wednesday, where representatives from ECOWAS member states endorsed his leadership through a consensus vote.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting commended Olukoyede for his “remarkable leadership, commitment, and regional collaboration” in combating transnational economic and financial crimes.

The Assembly also adopted new ECOWAS Guidelines on Borderless Investigations, Asset Tracing, Recovery, and Management, urging all member states to integrate them into national anti-corruption frameworks for harmonized enforcement across the region.

Member states reaffirmed their commitment to key anti-corruption frameworks, including the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight Against Corruption, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).

The communiqué further emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in asset recovery, mutual legal assistance, and information exchange, while calling for closer coordination among financial intelligence units, law enforcement bodies, and anti-graft agencies across the subregion.

It also underscored the need for continued partnership with civil society organizations, youth groups, and the media to strengthen public engagement in the fight against corruption.

The Assembly expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “steadfast support” and for declaring the meeting open. Tinubu had, during the opening ceremony on Tuesday, urged ECOWAS to classify resource theft—especially illegal mining and mineral smuggling—as international crimes, warning that the menace poses a threat to peace and stability in West Africa.

“The time has come for ECOWAS to designate resource theft, illegal mining, and mineral smuggling as international crimes that endanger the region’s security and prosperity,” Tinubu said.

The 7th AGA also coincided with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, which the delegates described as symbolic of renewed unity and cooperation among member states.

New institutions, including Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Cabo Verde’s CPC, were admitted as members of NACIWA during the session.

Olukoyede and his executive team will serve another three-year term.