Vice President Kashim Shettima has praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for its role in Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, attributing the achievement to the agency’s sustained efforts against corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes.
Speaking on Tuesday at the inauguration of the EFCC’s new office in Ekiti State, Shettima said the commission’s work has boosted investor confidence and reinforced the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda.
The Vice President reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening anti-corruption institutions through improved infrastructure, enhanced staff welfare, operational independence, and continuous training.
According to him, the EFCC has evolved into a key institution within Nigeria’s economic and security framework through its fight against corruption, cybercrime, illicit financial flows, and other financial offences.
Shettima noted that the agency’s achievements contributed significantly to Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list, a development he said has improved the country’s investment climate and increased confidence in ongoing reforms.
Describing corruption as a major obstacle to development, economic growth, and public trust, he stressed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers the anti-corruption campaign a central part of its governance strategy.
He commended the leadership and personnel of the EFCC for their commitment to tackling corruption, emphasizing that the fight can only be sustained through strong institutions, effective tools, and dedicated professionals.
Shettima assured the commission of continued government support, promising investments in better working conditions, competitive welfare packages, operational autonomy, and capacity-building programmes.
Highlighting some of the agency’s recent accomplishments, the Vice President pointed to its success in combating cybercrime, revealing that the commission secured the conviction of 192 cybercrime offenders in a single operation.
He also disclosed that assets recovered by the EFCC have been channelled into critical social intervention programmes, including the Federal Government’s student loan scheme and other development initiatives.
According to Shettima, the commission’s record of securing convictions in several high-profile corruption cases sends a clear message that financial misconduct and corruption will not be tolerated.
He further urged the agency to intensify efforts against money laundering and illicit financial flows, warning that such channels are often used by criminal networks to finance insecurity and other illegal activities.
The Vice President added that the anti-corruption battle requires collaboration among all security and law enforcement agencies, stressing that the EFCC cannot achieve its objectives without coordinated support from relevant institutions.