Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered more than ₦500 billion in stolen assets and secured over 7,000 convictions in the past two years, Vice President Kashim Shettima said Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Shettima made the announcement while representing President Bola Tinubu at the opening of the 7th EFCC–National Judicial Institute (NJI) Capacity-Building Workshop for Judges and Justices in Abuja. The workshop brings together judicial officers to strengthen the fight against corruption.

“The administration is committed to empowering anti-corruption agencies and allowing them to operate independently,” Shettima said. “This independence has enabled the EFCC to recover significant assets and secure convictions without fear or favor.”

According to Shettima, the recovered funds are being redirected into social programs, including the Students Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Initiative, which aim to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede also addressed the workshop, acknowledging the agency’s achievements while noting challenges in prosecuting high-profile cases. “Some major corruption cases are moving slowly through the courts,” Olukoyede said. “We need reforms to speed up these trials and maintain public confidence in the justice system.”

President Tinubu emphasized the importance of judicial integrity. “A strong and independent judiciary is essential for national development,” he said. “Judges must uphold fairness and accountability in every decision.”

The two-day workshop, themed “Enhancing Justice in the Fight against Economic and Financial Crimes,” is designed to equip judges and justices with the skills needed to handle complex financial crimes. It will continue until Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Since taking office, the Tinubu administration has focused on strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework. By ensuring agencies like the EFCC operate without interference, the government aims to create a transparent system that deters financial crimes.

The EFCC’s recent successes include both the recovery of assets from individuals and entities involved in corruption and the conviction of thousands of offenders across various levels of government and the private sector. Analysts say these measures help restore public trust in Nigeria’s institutions and reinforce accountability.

Experts have also praised the reinvestment of recovered funds into social programs, saying it demonstrates a commitment to using corruption recovery for public good rather than leaving it idle in government accounts.

Shettima stressed that the administration will continue supporting the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to ensure the fight against corruption is sustained. “Corruption threatens development, and we are determined to protect Nigeria’s resources,” he said.

The EFCC–NJI workshop is part of a broader effort to build institutional capacity for fighting financial crimes. Judges participating in the program are receiving training on best practices, case management, and legal procedures for handling economic crimes.

With the EFCC reporting ₦500 billion in asset recovery and more than 7,000 convictions, the Tinubu administration is highlighting measurable progress in its anti-corruption campaign. Officials say this effort sends a message that financial crimes will not go unpunished and that recovered funds will be used to benefit the public.

The initiative reflects Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, which are seen as key drivers of economic growth and national development.