The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerian universities to adopt Artificial Intelligence in their ethical and financial management systems to curb corruption, improve accountability and rebuild public confidence.
The charge was delivered in Kano on Tuesday during a keynote address at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN), where Olukoyede spoke on the need for technology-driven governance in the university system.
He described AI as a necessary defence, warning that local institutions risk falling behind as global systems shift toward digital governance. He pointed out that universities handle huge financial inflows, including tuition, intervention funds and research grants, yet concerns around accountability remain.
“The EFCC has investigated cases involving inflated contracts, ghost workers, and diverted students’ fees in tertiary institutions across the federation. Each case represented not only a loss of public funds but also a betrayal of the trust that Nigerian parents, students, and taxpayers have placed in the university system”.
“A university that lacks financial accountability cannot credibly train future accountants and auditors, and one that tolerates fraud cannot produce the ethical professionals our economy needs. The university’s integrity is thus a matter of national security, and AI offers transformative tools to defend it”, he said.
Olukoyede listed key areas where AI can be applied, including fraud detection, automated auditing, payroll verification, procurement monitoring and academic integrity systems.
He cited “Operation Eagle Flush (December 2024) where the EFCC arrested 792 suspects including 193 foreign nationals (114 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two Kazakhs, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian) in a seven-storey building in Victoria Island, Lagos. The syndicate operated cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams targeting victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.”
The EFCC boss urged governing councils to move beyond discussions and implement digital systems in daily administration.
“I will recommend that you establish an AI and Digital Governance Committee within each Governing Council to drive responsible AI adoption. Create a Digital Integrity Strategy for finance, academic, and data protection within your institutions. Invest in digital infrastructure, broadband, cybersecurity, and cloud systems”, he said.
He also encouraged collaboration with the commission and other relevant agencies for training and intelligence sharing, alongside the development of an AI Code of Ethics to protect privacy, prevent bias and safeguard academic freedom.
While stressing the benefits of technology, Olukoyede warned that tools alone cannot solve systemic issues.
“No matter how sophisticated the technology might be, its effectiveness ultimately depends on the integrity of the human beings who will utilise the tools. AI will therefore not work magic for the ivory towers if the integrity deficit that is palpable among the workforce is not addressed”, he said.
He also drew attention to risks such as excessive dependence on automated systems, threats to institutional independence and exposure to cyber attacks linked to weak data management.
“The fight against corruption is a national project that depends on the integrity of every institution, especially our universities. The EFCC is ready to collaborate with you in training and intelligence sharing in the unwavering belief that integrity will lead Nigeria to greatness and transparency. This is possible. It is achievable”, he said.