Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has joined forces with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enhance budget monitoring in Nigeria. The Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria, alongside several other CSOs, made this commitment during a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on February 6, 2025.
Led by Ambassador Splendor Agbonkpolor, the CSO leaders emphasized that their primary focus is on ensuring effective budget implementation across the country. According to Agbonkpolor, the coalition has formed a dedicated committee to track government spending, identify inefficiencies, advocate for policy reforms, and promote transparency in budget execution. He stressed that monitoring procurement processes is crucial to curbing corruption at its roots, as mismanagement often begins before projects even take off.
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Agbonkpolor pointed out that despite large sums allocated to contractors, many projects remain nonexistent or abandoned. He explained that the CSOs will serve as watchdogs, visiting project sites to verify implementation and reporting discrepancies to the EFCC for investigation. By providing real-time evidence of fraud, the coalition aims to make the commission’s anti-corruption efforts more effective and responsive.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that tackling corruption requires collective effort. He acknowledged the crucial role of civil society in holding public officials and contractors accountable, noting that law enforcement agencies cannot fight corruption alone. He assured the CSOs of the EFCC’s full support, describing their initiative as a game-changer in Nigeria’s anti-corruption battle.
Olukoyede reiterated that every Nigerian suffers from the consequences of corruption, making it essential for all stakeholders to work together. He pledged that the EFCC would maintain a strong partnership with the CSOs to ensure budget monitoring remains a top priority.
