In a strategic move to reinforce Nigeria’s fight against corruption, President Bola Tinubu has named Mr. Ola Olukoyede as the newly appointed Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The announcement was made through a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday. It emphasized President Tinubu’s authority, as defined in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, which grants him the power to appoint the Chairman and members of the Commission, excluding ex-officio members.
Mr. Olukoyede brings a wealth of expertise to this critical role. With over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and a specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence, his qualifications are impressive. Notably, he boasts an in-depth understanding of EFCC operations, having previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023), making him a fitting choice for the Chairman’s position.
This appointment follows the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Additionally, President Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as the Secretary of the anti-graft Commission, a renewable term of five years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.
Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda is a seasoned public administrator with extensive expertise in public finance management. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri and a Master’s in Business Administration from the same institution. His career journey began as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, and later expanded into banking, with successful roles at the defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank.
President Bola Tinubu has tasked the new EFCC leadership with a crucial national mission, urging them to validate the trust placed in them. He emphasized the significance of the renewed anti-corruption drive, characterized by reformed institutional architecture, which remains a central component of the President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
