Procurement and contract fraud account for over 90% of Nigeria’s public sector corruption – EFCC
The Government Chairman of the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has recognized public sector corruption, notably procurement and contract fraud, as Nigeria’s most urgent situation accounting for over 90 per cent of the nation’s corruption and fraud instances.
Olukoyede disclosed this throughout a gathering on Friday, January 17, 2025, with a delegation from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), led by its newly-appointed Director Normal, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun.
The assembly happened on the EFCC’s company headquarters.
“Within the EFCC, we deal with each non-public and public sector fraud. And on the subject of the general public sector, which is considered one of our main issues in Nigeria, we found that contract and procurement fraud takes greater than 90 per cent of the quantity of public sector fraud,” Olukoyede said.
He additional defined that fraud manifests in varied varieties, corresponding to commingling, contract splitting, and different unethical practices.
“Infrastructure-wise and all different developmental issues are attributable to contract and procurement fraud. It lies with you and with me to make a change. If we are able to work collectively, we will depart this nation higher than we met it,” he said.
He emphasised the necessity for collective efforts to fight corruption.
Collaboration between EFCC and BPP
Olukoyede additionally careworn the significance of collaboration between the EFCC and BPP, notably in undertaking implementation and monitoring.
He expressed optimism concerning the BPP’s new management and the potential for stronger cooperation.
“So, I like your dedication, the brand new spirit you may have introduced into the company. We’re going to work collectively. We’re going to collaborate for the sake of this nation and for us to make sure that the 2025 price range is properly carried out and executed. There is no such thing as a hiding place for BPP. And there’s no hiding from the EFCC. That’s the reality,” Olukoyede remarked.
Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the brand new Director Normal of the Bureau of Public Procurement, outlined the Bureau’s dedication to reforming the procurement course of in Nigeria.
He assured the EFCC and Nigerians that the BPP, underneath his management, was embarking on a mission of rebirth.
“We’re right here to reassure you and your staff that we’re dedicated to creating your job simpler. We’re right here to reassure the 220 million Nigerians that they will fall asleep on the subject of how procurement is being executed. We wish to see that the EFCC can belief our paperwork with out having to doubt,” Adedokun said.
Adedokun emphasised the BPP’s dedication to transparency, assuring that they’re working to offer reliable paperwork for decision-making and fraud investigations.
“Paperwork that you could belief in your decision-making, in your investigation about fraud-related points and procurement. We’re right here as a result of we wish to be open when it comes to what we do and the way we do it. We wish to give Nigerians the peace of mind that it’s now not enterprise as common. And we now have began.”
Adedokun additionally expressed his imaginative and prescient for utilizing procurement as a instrument for good governance in Nigeria.
He emphasised the significance of making certain that each expenditure on items, works, and companies is correctly accounted for.