The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has made a startling claim about the depth of corruption in Nigeria’s civil service, stating that civil servants steal more public funds than politicians.
Olukoyede pointed to systemic corruption across both the public and private sectors, but noted that the extent of embezzlement within Nigeria’s civil service has often gone unnoticed.
According to him, contrary to public belief, the bureaucrats behind the scenes—the so-called “establishment people”—are often more culpable than the politicians they serve under.
He cited a specific example of a ministry under EFCC investigation where ₦33.7 billion had been misappropriated. Of this amount, only ₦3 billion was linked to the minister in charge, while a staggering ₦30.7 billion was traced to senior civil servants such as directors of finance, procurement, and administration.
“This disparity highlights the significant role civil servants play in corruption—often more so than politicians,” Olukoyede stated. “When you look at the gamut of the money stolen by establishment people, it far exceeds what politicians have stolen.”
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He added that these “establishment people” remain in government across multiple administrations, enabling them to embed corruption into the system over time. “Political appointees come and go, but these guys are always there,” he said.
Olukoyede also addressed the EFCC’s investigative strategies, noting that they often track illicit funds through real estate purchases and family member accounts.
“If you trace money to people and discover it was used to buy homes in their names or deposited into their children’s accounts, and they don’t deny it, that’s a solid lead,” he explained.
The EFCC boss claimed that statistical surveys conducted by the commission revealed that the majority of expensive properties in affluent Abuja neighborhoods like Maitama and Asokoro are owned not by politicians or business moguls, but by civil servants. “Yes, statistics have shown that. We have evidence to prove it,” he affirmed.
He emphasized that rooting out corruption within the civil service should be a national priority, especially given the long-term damage it causes to governance, public trust, and development. “It’s important for us to beam our searchlight on the core civil service sector—permanent secretaries, directors, and generally the civil servants,” he said.
Olukoyede’s revelations add to ongoing public debates about Nigeria’s fight against corruption. While political officeholders often receive the lion’s share of scrutiny, the EFCC chair’s comments suggest that entrenched bureaucratic networks may pose an even greater threat to national integrity.
His statement has sparked conversations on social media, with many calling for increased transparency and audits of the civil service. As Nigeria continues to battle corruption on all fronts, the EFCC’s spotlight on civil servants may mark a new chapter in enforcement strategy.
The Conclave
