Former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, has urged the federal government to integrate anti-corruption education into Nigeria’s school curriculum, emphasizing that the fight against corruption requires collective action across all sectors.
Magu made this appeal on Thursday during his induction as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja. The retired Assistant Inspector General of Police stressed that corruption cannot be defeated by one individual or institution alone. “Corruption must be fought across the board. One man cannot fight corruption. Everybody is involved, whether you like it or not,” he said.
He encouraged CIFCFIN to collaborate with the judiciary, schools, and professional bodies to expand the use of forensic evidence in courts and to incorporate anti-corruption learning into both primary and secondary education.
Recalling his experience in setting up the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and overcoming early public resistance to money laundering laws, Magu highlighted the need for continuous public enlightenment. “If you must have a very tight case, then you have to bring in the forensic aspect,” he explained.
Speaking after his induction, Magu described the recognition as transparent and inspiring, saying it motivates him to continue his work. “It gives me encouragement to continue what we are doing, because forensic investigation is central to fighting corruption,” he added.
Earlier, CIFCFIN Pioneer President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, praised Magu’s leadership at the EFCC, noting that those who stand for integrity are ultimately vindicated by history. “Once you fight corruption, corruption will fight back. But history has a way of vindicating those who stand on the truth,” Gashinbaki remarked, calling the EFCC chairmanship “the most difficult job in Nigeria.”
Magu’s induction adds to his long career in law enforcement and anti-corruption efforts. As one of the EFCC’s founding officers in 2003, he was appointed acting chairman in 2015, leading investigations into high-profile cases such as the Abacha loot recovery, the Halliburton scandal, and oil subsidy fraud.
He also 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.
