Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) has re-elected the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, as its President during its 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) held in Abuja on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
The re-election of Olukoyede and other members of the NACIWA Executive Committee followed what the Assembly described as a “consensus renewal of their mandates”, recognizing their exceptional performance and leadership in driving anti-corruption efforts across the West African sub-region. The renewed tenure will last for another three years.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the Assembly and signed by all ECOWAS member states present, participants commended Olukoyede’s outstanding leadership and dedication to strengthening cross-border cooperation in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
The Assembly also adopted the ECOWAS Guidelines on Borderless Investigations, Asset Tracing, Recovery, and Management, which aim to enhance collaboration and harmonize anti-corruption practices across member states.
“Member States note with satisfaction the adoption of the ECOWAS Guidelines on Borderless Investigations, Asset Tracing, Recovery, and Management, and call on all Member States to integrate them into national frameworks to ensure harmonized implementation,” the communiqué stated.
NACIWA further reaffirmed its commitment to existing international and regional frameworks, including the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight Against Corruption, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).
Delegates emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in asset recovery, mutual legal assistance, and intelligence sharing, urging stronger coordination between anti-corruption agencies, financial intelligence units, and law enforcement bodies across the sub-region.
This year’s Assembly coincided with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, symbolizing renewed regional unity and the collective will to tackle corruption and illicit financial flows undermining the region’s development. Member institutions were urged to domesticate and operationalize ECOWAS anti-corruption frameworks within their national systems to align with shared regional goals.
The communiqué also underscored the importance of engaging civil society organizations, youth groups, and the media to foster public participation, awareness, and accountability in the fight against corruption.
The AGA expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support and for declaring the Assembly open on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
In his opening remarks, President Tinubu called on ECOWAS to classify resource theft, illegal mining, and mineral smuggling as international crimes, warning that such activities threaten peace, stability, and economic progress in West Africa.
“The time has come for ECOWAS to designate resource theft, illegal mining, and the stealing of minerals as an international crime that threatens the stability of the region, and galvanize the world against trade in stolen minerals from West Africa,” the President urged.
Additionally, NACIWA announced the admission of new member institutions, including Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), while also welcoming CPC Cabo Verde as a new participant in the regional anti-corruption network.
The 7th Annual General Assembly of NACIWA concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthen cross-border collaboration, promote transparency, and build resilient institutions capable of confronting corruption and financial crimes in all forms across West Africa.
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