EFCC chair urges AI adoption in corruption fight

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerian universities to urgently adopt Artificial Intelligence in their governance and financial management systems as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and curb corruption.

Olukoyede made the call on Tuesday in Kano while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria.

Describing AI as a “critical safeguard” for public institutions, the EFCC boss warned that universities risk falling behind global standards if they fail to embrace technology-driven oversight.

“The Nigerian university system cannot afford to be left behind in this global shift.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer optional; it is a necessary defence mechanism for transparency.”

He noted that despite managing multi-billion-naira budgets, including tuition fees, TETFund allocations and research grants, many institutions still struggle with accountability challenges.

Olukoyede said the EFCC had uncovered cases of financial misconduct in tertiary institutions, including inflated contracts, ghost workers and diversion of students’ fees

Each of these cases represents not just financial loss, but a betrayal of the trust placed in our universities by parents, students and taxpayers,” he said.

He added that institutional integrity was critical to national development, warning that corruption in universities undermines the credibility of graduates.

“A university that cannot account for its finances cannot be trusted to train ethical professionals.

“Institutional integrity is a matter of national importance and even national security,” he said.

The EFCC chairman highlighted areas where AI could improve governance, including fraud detection, automated auditing, payroll monitoring, procurement tracking and academic integrity systems.

He also referenced major enforcement operations, including “Operation Eagle Flush” conducted in December 2024, where the EFCC arrested hundreds of suspects involved in cryptocurrency and romance scam networks targeting victims across several countries.

Olukoyede urged governing councils of universities to take proactive steps in integrating digital systems into their operations.

“I recommend the establishment of AI and Digital Governance Committees in every university governing council.

“There should also be a clear Digital Integrity Strategy covering finance, academics and data protection,” he said.

He further called for investments in broadband infrastructure, cybersecurity systems and cloud-based data management, as well as stronger collaboration with the EFCC for training and intelligence sharing.

Olukoyede, however, cautioned that technology alone could not solve governance challenges without human integrity.

“No matter how advanced the technology is, it will only be as effective as the people who use it. AI cannot replace integrity; it can only support it,” he said.

He warned that overdependence on technology could weaken professional judgement and expose institutions to cybersecurity risks if not properly managed.

“The fight against corruption is a collective national responsibility.

The EFCC remains ready to work with universities to build systems of accountability rooted in transparency and integrity. It is achievable,” he added.