Olukoyede Urges NWDC to Deliver Development with Accountability

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has charged the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the North West Development Commission (NWDC), Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, to aggressively pursue regional development while upholding the highest standards of accountability and transparency.

Olukoyede gave the charge on Wednesday, January 14, 2025, when Ma’aji led a delegation of NWDC officials on a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

He emphasized that intervention agencies were created to fast-track development across regions and warned that public trust must not be betrayed. According to him, Nigerians expect to see tangible and measurable projects within one year of budgetary releases.

“Be committed to your mandate. We want to see visible developmental projects that justify the confidence reposed in you. Accountability and transparency must guide all your actions,” Olukoyede said.

He further cautioned the NWDC boss to exercise diligence in decision-making, especially in procurement and staffing, noting that as chief accounting officer, ultimate responsibility rests with him. He stressed that prevention of corruption was better than cure and pledged EFCC’s support through collaboration.

In his response, Ma’aji sought a strategic partnership with the EFCC to ensure the Commission operates on a sound footing from inception. He said the NWDC was established to drive coordinated socio-economic development across the North West through infrastructure, social interventions, economic empowerment and institutional strengthening.

“As a new institution entrusted with public resources, transparency, accountability and strong internal controls are critical to achieving our mandate and sustaining public confidence,” Ma’aji said.

He described the proposed collaboration as a preventive and capacity-building partnership aimed at strengthening integrity, financial management and compliance systems, in line with the federal government’s governance reform agenda.

Ma’aji clarified that the NWDC was not set up to compete with state or local governments but to intervene where development gaps exist across the seven North West states. He highlighted the enormity of the task, noting the region’s population of about 54 million people, with a large youth demographic that must be productively engaged to ensure stability and growth.