Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has called on religious leaders to intensify teachings against corruption, saying faith institutions have a major role in building an honest society.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede made the appeal in Abuja during the 2026 second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and the launch of the Anti-Corruption Interfaith Manual for Christian and Muslim leaders.
He said the theme, “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria,” reminds citizens that corruption weakens national development and urged religious leaders to restore the moral value of honest living.
“Financial crime has no religion. Corruption has no tribe. Fraud does not become Christian or Muslim because of the identity of the person accused of committing it.”
Olukoyede said the EFCC developed the interfaith manual with Christian and Muslim leaders to help pastors and imams preach biblical and Quranic teachings that reject corruption.
“We can prosecute fraud. Religious teaching can cultivate honesty. We can punish corruption after the event. Faith can help prevent it before it begins.”
NIREC Executive Secretary, Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, described the manual as an important guide for religious leaders, saying no nation can prosper where corruption thrives.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, urged faith leaders to continue promoting peace while condemning banditry, terrorism and other crimes across the country.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting lives and restoring security through intensified operations by security agencies.
The EFCC has for years partnered with Christian and Muslim leaders through its Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee to promote integrity and use religious teachings to discourage corruption and strengthen national values.
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