Former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, has called for the inclusion of anti-corruption education in Nigeria’s school curriculum, stressing that the war against graft requires the involvement of all sectors of society.
Magu made the call on Thursday during his induction as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), held at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja.
The retired Assistant Inspector General of Police noted that no single individual or institution can fight corruption successfully.
“Corruption must be fought across the board. One man cannot fight corruption. Everybody is involved, whether you like it or not,” he said.
He urged CIFCFIN to collaborate with the judiciary, schools, and professional bodies to strengthen the use of forensic evidence in courtrooms and integrate anti-corruption studies into the curriculum of primary and secondary schools.
Magu also recalled the challenges that trailed the establishment of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the initial public misconceptions about money laundering laws, stressing the need for sustained enlightenment.
“If you must have a very tight case, then you have to bring in the forensic aspect,” he added.
Speaking to journalists after his induction, Magu described the fellowship as transparent and motivating, saying it would inspire him to continue contributing to anti-corruption efforts.
“It gives me encouragement to continue what we are doing, because forensic investigation is central to fighting corruption,” he said.
Earlier, CIFCFIN Pioneer President and Chairman, Governing Council, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, commended Magu’s tenure at the EFCC despite the challenges, noting that history always vindicates those who fight corruption with integrity.
“Once you fight corruption, corruption will fight back. But history has a way of vindicating those who stand on the truth,” Gashinbaki said, describing the EFCC chairmanship as “the most difficult job in Nigeria.”
Magu’s induction adds to his long record of service in law enforcement and anti-corruption. A founding officer of the EFCC in 2003, he was appointed acting chairman of the Commission in 2015, where he led several high-profile investigations, including the Abacha loot recovery, the Halliburton scandal, and oil subsidy fraud cases.
He holds multiple advanced degrees in corruption studies and law enforcement and is currently pursuing a PhD in Security and Strategic Studies at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
