‘Corruption War’: Japanese Agency Strengthens Ties With EFCC To Boost Sustainable Development In Nigeria

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged its support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its efforts to combat economic and financial crimes, recognizing the crucial role it plays in achieving sustainable economic development and good governance in Nigeria.

JICA’s Chief Representative, Yuzurio Suzumu, made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on May 2, 2024, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the two organizations.

He identified sustainable economic development, social development, good governance, and peace building as key areas of focus for their partnership.

According to Suzumu, “EFCC is a very important partner for collaboration, and our aim is to contribute to the sustainable development of Nigeria. We have identified sustainable economic development, social development, good governance and peace building as key pillars of our collaboration, he said.

Suzumu emphasized that financial crimes are a cross-sector issue affecting the development of the economy, society, governance, and peace. He expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its strong commitment and effort towards combating economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, as well as making proposals for broad-based capacity-building programs for staff of the EFCC and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs in the area of fighting corruption.

In his response, Olukoyede pointed out that JICA had shared values and objectives with the EFCC. “We also stand for sustaining economic development and good governance. In fact, upon my assumption of office, one of my policy objectives was to use the anti-corruption instrumentality to stimulate the economy.”

He also restated the EFCC’s efforts aimed at stabilizing the foreign exchange market, stressing that the Commission would not relent in monitoring developments in the sector and prosecute illegal foreign exchange traders causing disruption in the forex market.

“We are trying to stabilize the foreign exchange market and stimulate growth in the economy. To this effect, companies and entities operating to destroy the economy won’t be allowed to have their ways”, he said.

He also emphasized the importance of preventive frameworks against corruption, maintaining that, “We are not going to wait for the money to be stolen before taking actions”.

The Chairman also pledged to collaborate with JICA, particularly in the areas of manpower training and development to achieve shared objectives. He called for more support for President Bola Tinubu in his quest to reflate and rebuild the commanding heights of the economy. “We need to support President Bola Tinubu’s relentless efforts to revive and grow the economy”, he said.