EFCC uncovers diversion of students’ fees, fraud in Nigerian varsities

Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has raised fresh concerns over widespread financial misconduct in Nigerian universities.

He warned that the diversion of students’ fees and other irregularities pose a serious threat to the credibility of the country’s education system.

Olukoyede sounded the alarm on Tuesday in Kano while delivering a keynote address at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria, according to a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson.

The anti-graft chief disclosed that investigations by the commission have uncovered multiple cases of financial malpractice across tertiary institutions nationwide, including inflated contracts, the existence of ghost workers on payrolls, and the diversion of funds meant for students.

“Each case represents 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,” Olukoyede said.

He noted that universities in Nigeria oversee multi-billion naira budgets, drawing from sources such as tuition fees, allocations from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and research grants, yet accountability gaps remain prevalent.

In a bid to address these challenges, Olukoyede called for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in university financial systems, describing it as a critical tool in combating corruption and enhancing institutional transparency.

According to him, AI can be deployed in key operational areas such as fraud detection, automated auditing, payroll monitoring, procurement processes, and safeguarding academic integrity.

“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,” he stated.

The EFCC chairman further urged governing councils of universities to establish dedicated AI and digital governance committees, develop comprehensive digital integrity frameworks, and invest in essential infrastructure including broadband connectivity, cybersecurity systems, and cloud-based platforms.

Despite advocating technological solutions, Olukoyede cautioned that digital tools alone cannot eliminate corruption without a corresponding commitment to ethical conduct.

“No matter how sophisticated the technology might be, its effectiveness ultimately depends on the integrity of the human beings who will utilise the tools,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of collaboration between universities, the EFCC, and other regulatory agencies, particularly in the areas of training, intelligence sharing, and institutional reforms.

Olukoyede maintained that tackling corruption in the education sector requires a collective and sustained effort, warning that failure to address systemic abuses could erode public confidence and weaken the nation’s human capital development.