By Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has warned that illicit financial flows are stripping Nigeria of essential resources needed for development in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and job creation.
In a statement shared with the media in Kaduna today, Wednesday, ANEEJ’s Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, announced this during the opening of a two-day training session for civil society organizations in Akwa Ibom State.
The workshop is part of ANEEJ’s project, “Strengthening CSOs and Media Capacity to Contribute to the Fight Against Illicit Financial Flows in Nigeria,” and is co-funded by the European Union through the SecFin Africa Project. More than 30 participants attended.
Rev. Ugolor explained that IFFs, which include corruption, money laundering, procurement fraud, tax evasion, trade misinvoicing, and profit shifting, are draining the country’s economy and weakening public services.
“These losses contribute to inequality, weak institutions, declining public trust, and insecurity,” he said. “When money meant for building hospitals, schools, and roads is siphoned off illegally, ordinary Nigerians suffer the consequences.”
He acknowledged that Nigeria has established legal and institutional frameworks such as the EFCC, the ICPC, and the NFIU, but emphasized that government agencies alone cannot effectively combat IFFs.
He highlighted the crucial role civil society organizations play in promoting transparency, monitoring public resources, advocating for reforms, and amplifying citizens’ concerns.
The workshop, supported by the EU through SecFin Africa, aims to enhance CSOs’ practical knowledge of IFFs, anti-money laundering strategies, access to public data, advocacy, and accountability methods. It also seeks to foster greater collaboration among CSOs, government agencies, law enforcement, and anti-corruption bodies.
Notable attendees at the opening included Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, Director/CEO of NFIU, represented by Chinedum Odenyin, Head of Legal Operations Division; Oshodi Johnson, Acting Zonal Director of EFCC in Akwa Ibom, represented by Mrs. Theresa Nwosu, Head of Public Affairs; and Akwa Ibom State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare.
Also present were Philippe Pacaud, Operational Coordinator for the SecFin Africa Project; Prof Abdullahi Shehu, SecFin Africa Project Representative in Nigeria; and representatives from various CSOs in the state.
Pacaud stated that the SecFin Africa program helps countries across sub-Saharan Africa strengthen systems to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and IFFs. He pointed out that the estimated losses to IFFs on the continent are comparable to Africa’s combined development aid and foreign investment.
“IFFs deprive Africa of vital resources that could otherwise support hospitals, schools, and public services,” he said. He emphasized that civil society and media are vital for uncovering wrongdoing, exposing financial misconduct, and keeping the issue of IFFs in the public eye. He also reaffirmed SecFin Africa’s commitment to respecting the independence of CSOs and journalists.
In a goodwill message, the EFCC, represented by Mrs. Theresa Nwosu, stated that IFFs should remain a top priority in global financial discussions because of their significant impact on Nigeria’s economy and sustainable development. The Commission recognized that law enforcement alone cannot tackle IFFs and called for stronger partnerships with CSOs and journalists.
Akwa Ibom State’s Police Commissioner, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, in his keynote speech, explained that IFFs erode public trust in institutions and create an environment in which criminal networks can flourish.
“Illicit financial flows deprive our economy of resources that could otherwise be invested in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social development,” he said.
CP Azare affirmed that the Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to combating financial and organized crime, but stressed that effective partnerships among law enforcement, CSOs, and the media are essential for accountability and enforcement.
Rev. Ugolor urged attendees to share their experiences and develop practical strategies they can implement in their organizations and communities beyond the workshop to help recover and safeguard public resources.
He expressed appreciation to the European Union, Expertise France, the SecFin Africa Project, the Akwa Ibom State Government, resource persons, and participants for their support.
