New EFCC boss and the task ahead

On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu made a significant announcement, appointing Ola Olukoyede as the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Olukoyede’s appointment comes with a renewable term of four years, pending senate confirmation. The decision followed the resignation of Abdulrasheed Bawa, who had been in detention for months.

In Nigeria, the moment an appointment is made, one often observes a common and somewhat concerning pattern: a swift scrutiny of the appointee’s ethnicity and religion. Unfortunately, this approach often overshadows an individual’s track record and capacity, focusing instead on factors that exacerbate fault lines.

I recently came across a headline that read, “Tinubu appoints first southerner and pastor to head the anti-corruption agency.”

Personally, I find myself indifferent to someone’s religion or tribe when assessing their suitability for a role. In fact, when individuals openly promote their religious or tribal affiliations for an appointment or favour, it serves as a red flag for me. Religion has done more harm than good in Nigeria.

How did we arrive at this point? It’s a familiar refrain that there is no local government in Nigeria without competent individuals. Our nation is filled with both virtuous and less virtuous individuals across all tribes and religions. It’s high time that we place a stronger emphasis on the capacity and competence of those elected or appointed to any position.

Just as fuel stations don’t discriminate based on one’s religion or ethnicity when selling fuel at a consistent price, we all buy goods at the same prices in the market, regardless of our background. In the local parlance, we say, “who religion and tribe epp?”

Now, let’s return to the matter of the EFCC boss. Leading the country’s anti-corruption agency is often seen as a perilous undertaking. Throughout the history of this office, no EFCC chairman has managed to complete their term. The office is sometimes wielded as a weapon by sitting presidents to target their political opponents, and once the chairman has served their purpose, they are swiftly shown the exit.

The new chairman, Ola Olukoyede, faces the daunting task of rebranding the agency. Recent practices involving late-night raids on people’s homes are widely seen as primitive and outdated.

It’s a legitimate question to ask why these raids never extend to prominent individuals or politicians’ homes in the early hours of the morning. It’s predominantly soft targets who bear the brunt of these actions. This approach is primitive and must be abandoned. There are more civilized and effective ways to apprehend suspects.

One significant avenue for improvement is embracing technology. The EFCC needs to transition to a more technology-driven approach. The public wants to see more high-profile individuals, particularly those with political influence, held accountable for their role in looting the nation’s resources.

It is crucial that Olukoyede takes this opportunity to cleanse the agency and achieve success. The fight against corruption is a shared aspiration among Nigerians.

Combating corruption effectively would significantly contribute to Nigeria realizing its vast potential.

Needless to say, Nigeria stands at a crossroads where leadership appointments must shift away from being driven by ethnicity and religion. The merit and competence of individuals should be the primary criteria for selection. The task of reforming the EFCC is a formidable one, but with the right approach and the commitment to modernize its methods, the agency can better serve the nation in its fight against corruption.

Ultimately, it’s the collective responsibility of all Nigerians to prioritise meritocracy over divisive factors, for it is only then that the nation can reach its full potential.