The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged key stakeholders in the anti-corruption fight to collaborate with the Commission in curbing the growing problem of naira abuse across the country.
Speaking on Friday during an engagement session with a diverse group of stakeholders, including movie producers, musicians, NGOs, media professionals, bureau de change operators, legal experts, and security agencies, Olukoyede called for collective action in addressing the issue.
He explained that the awareness campaign, organised by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, was prompted by the alarming rise in incidents of naira mutilation and abuse.
Describing the naira as more than just a medium of exchange, the EFCC boss emphasised that it is a powerful emblem of national sovereignty and pride. “The naira is a symbol of our sovereignty. How we treat it reflects how much we respect ourselves as a people,” he stated.
Olukoyede also condemned the widespread practice of naira abuse at social events, including spraying, stamping, and other forms of defacement, warning that such actions undermine both the economy and the nation’s image.
