President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Monday that no one in his administration is protected from prosecution for corruption, highlighting the achievements of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at the opening of the 7th EFCC–National Judicial Institute Capacity-Building Workshop for judges and justices in Abuja, Tinubu said the EFCC had secured more than 7,000 convictions and recovered over ₦500 billion (about $1.1 billion) in the past two years.

The president, represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, stressed that the government allows anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary to operate independently. “We have allowed both the judiciary and the anti-corruption agencies to exercise their constitutional and statutory powers to dispense justice and restore sanity,” he said.

Tinubu said the recovered funds were being reinvested in social programs, including the Students Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Scheme, which aim to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede credited the agency’s success to close collaboration with the judiciary. He noted that recent court rulings affirming the EFCC’s powers had strengthened the nation’s fight against financial crimes. “We are committed to ensuring that no one is above the law, and our partnership with the courts is critical to delivering justice,” Olukoyede said.

The two-day workshop, themed “Enhancing Justice in the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes,” gathered judges, magistrates, and legal professionals from across the country. Participants discussed strategies to improve the prosecution of financial crimes and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.

Judges at the workshop stressed the importance of fair, transparent, and timely trials in maintaining public trust. Several participants noted that corruption has been a major obstacle to economic growth and public service delivery in Nigeria.

Nigeria has struggled for decades with corruption, which the United Nations and other international bodies say has slowed development and discouraged foreign investment. The EFCC, established in 2003, has become the country’s main agency for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes.

In recent years, the EFCC has focused on high-profile cases, targeting politicians, business leaders, and public officials accused of embezzlement, money laundering, and other financial crimes. According to the agency, these efforts have not only recovered stolen funds but also helped deter future crimes.

Analysts say Tinubu’s statement underscores his administration’s intent to maintain pressure on corrupt actors while reinforcing judicial independence. “By openly supporting anti-graft agencies, the government is signaling that political connections will not guarantee immunity,” said a Lagos-based governance expert.

The president’s remarks also come amid calls from civil society groups and international partners for stronger anti-corruption measures in Nigeria. Observers say sustained enforcement and public transparency will be critical to maintaining credibility.

As the administration continues its fight against corruption, officials say the focus will remain on strengthening institutions, supporting judicial processes, and ensuring that recovered funds benefit citizens. The EFCC plans to continue expanding its capacity, including digital investigations and partnerships with international agencies, to track illicit funds more effectively.

With more than 7,000 convictions and hundreds of billions of naira recovered, Tinubu’s government says the anti-corruption campaign is producing tangible results—but officials acknowledge that the work is far from finished.