Magu pushes for anti-corruption studies in schools

Former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, has urged the federal government to introduce anti-corruption education into Nigeria’s school curriculum, insisting that the war against corruption requires the involvement of all citizens.

Magu made the call on Thursday at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, during his induction as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN).

The retired Assistant Inspector General of Police stressed that the fight against corruption cannot be left to a single individual or institution.

“Corruption must be fought across the board. One man cannot fight corruption. Everybody is involved, whether you like it or not,” Magu said.

He urged CIFCFIN to work closely with the judiciary, schools, and professional associations to promote the use of forensic evidence in court and embed anti-corruption studies into both primary and secondary school curricula.

Recalling his experience in setting up the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Magu highlighted the initial challenges of public perception around money laundering laws, noting that continuous enlightenment is vital to tackling financial crimes.

“If you must have a very tight case, then you have to bring in the forensic aspect,” he added.

Speaking with journalists after his induction, Magu described the fellowship award as both transparent and inspiring.

“It gives me encouragement to continue what we are doing, because forensic investigation is central to fighting corruption,” he said.

Earlier, CIFCFIN’s Pioneer President and Chairman of its Governing Council, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, praised Magu’s efforts at the EFCC despite the challenges he faced.

“Once you fight corruption, corruption will fight back. But history has a way of vindicating those who stand on the truth,” Gashinbaki remarked, describing the EFCC chairmanship as “the most difficult job in Nigeria.”

Magu’s induction marks another milestone in his distinguished career in law enforcement and anti-corruption. A founding officer of the EFCC in 2003, he rose to become Acting Chairman in 2015, spearheading high-profile investigations including the Abacha loot recovery, Halliburton scandal, and oil subsidy fraud.

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.