The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has lamented the steady decline in public participation in Nigeria’s Whistleblowing Policy.
He warned that the drop in citizen engagement is weakening nationwide efforts to combat corruption.
He spoke through Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Kamilu Ibrahim Gebi, who represented him at a nationwide sensitisation programme on the implementation of the policy held in Sokoto on Thursday.
In his paper entitled “Benefits of the Whistleblowing Policy in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria,” Olukoyedeacknowledged the significant strides achieved at the inception of the policy but expressed concern that it no longer enjoys the level of public support it once did.
He said:“By December 2025, the Whistleblowing Policy will be close to a decade in operation in Nigeria. However, the concern is not about how long it has existed, but about the impact it continues to make.”
According to him, after the policy was introduced, it achieved remarkable success, with the Federal Government recovering substantial sums from looted funds based on tips from citizens.
He said:“In the early days of the policy, citizens actively came forward with credible information, leading to the recovery of over $178 million within just two months. Sadly, that level of public participation has significantly dropped.”
He emphasized that whistleblowing remains one of the most effective mechanisms for exposing financial crimes and holding public officials accountable.
He implored Nigerians to renew their commitment to reporting suspicious financial activities and misconduct, emphasizing that collective responsibility is crucial to tackling corruption.
He also advised government institutions to reinforce protective measures for whistleblowers and intensify public awareness campaigns to rebuild confidence in the system.
“The success of this policy depends on trust, protection, and consistent sensitisation. When citizens feel safe, they will speak up,” he added.
