Olukoyede Honoured at Nigeria Excellence Awards for Transformative Leadership

The Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, received high acclaim on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS). The ceremony took place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, drawing an elite audience of state governors, ministers, top government officials, and prominent private sector leaders.

The Nigeria Excellence Awards, established through a collaboration between the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and The Best Strategic Media, seek to recognise sustained outstanding performance among public officials. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. George Akume, emphasized that the awards celebrate remarkable contributions to national development and effective service delivery.

“This initiative honours individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and transformative service delivery in the public sector,” Akume remarked. He further highlighted the rigorous selection process, stating that just 44 exemplary chief executives, including governors and agency heads, were chosen for this prestigious recognition.

Mr. Olukoyede’s stewardship of the EFCC was singled out for particular praise. Under his leadership, the commission has achieved notable success in Nigeria’s fight against financial crimes and corruption. These accomplishments include the recovery of assets worth hundreds of billions of naira, tracing illicit funds, and intensifying efforts to combat money laundering.

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Significantly, Olukoyede’s reforms played a key role in Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025, a milestone that reflects strengthened anti-money laundering compliance and enhanced financial integrity nationwide.

Alongside Olukoyede, the awards honoured five state governors, various ministers, and senior heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), reflecting the broad scope of public service excellence being celebrated.

The NEAPS accolade not only highlights Olukoyede’s dedication and achievements but also signals a promising trajectory for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to bolster transparency, accountability, and governance.